Six-Month Extension To Short-term Let Licensing Scheme

The Scottish Government is to delay its plans for a short-term let licensing scheme by at least six months.

In a letter to the convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government Committee Ariane Burgess, cabinet secretary for housing Shona Robison confirmed the government will now amend the date by which existing operators must apply for a licence from 1 April 2023 to 1 October 2023.

In the letter, Ms Robison said it is a “one-off” six-month extension recognising the wider economic circumstances of the cost of living crisis that is placing pressure on existing short-term let hosts and businesses at a time when they are organising and budgeting for work to comply with the new licensing requirements.