Question reference: S6W-13278
- Date lodged: 15 December 2022
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 12 January 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had any discussions with Police Scotland which have resulted in a delay in implementing the short-term lets legislation.
Answer
There have been no discussions with Police Scotland which have resulted in a delay to implementing the short-term lets licensing scheme.
During 2022 officials have engaged regularly with licensing authorities and partners, including Police Scotland, to prepare for the start of short-term let licensing on 1 October 2022. Police Scotland is now completing fit and proper person checks as part of the process undertaken by licensing authorities to determine licensing applications from new and existing short-term let hosts. Although resourcing is a matter for Police Scotland to consider, they have been planning this for some time and we remain engaged to support this element of the scheme.
In recognition of the wider cost of living crisis that is placing pressure on existing short-term let hosts and businesses, we have announced that we will introduce legislation in January 2023 to extend the deadline for existing hosts to apply for a licence from 1 April 2023 to 1 October 2023. This is not a pause and we encourage hosts to keep applying throughout this period.