Moray Council to establish short-term lets licensing scheme in 2022
FOLLOWING the approval of legislation by the Scottish Government, Moray Council is now required to establish a short-term let licensing scheme by 01 October 2022.
The short-term lets legislation, approved by the Scottish Government on 19 January 2022, requires all operators of short-term and holiday lets in Scotland to apply for a license. Existing hosts and operators will have until 01 April 2023 to apply for a licence, with all short-term let properties required to have a licence by 01 July 2024.
The council are currently preparing for the administration of the new licensing scheme and will be developing the required policies, such as temporary exemptions, licence duration, temporary licences, and the setting of fees.
Moray Council’s Head of Governance, Strategy and Performance, Alasdair McEachan, said: “The licensing scheme applies to the whole of Scotland and will be implemented by Moray Council for properties across Moray. Short-term lets offer people a flexible and cheaper travel option, and the new scheme will ensure basic safety standards are adhered to across all short-term lets operating within Moray.
“The council are currently preparing for the administration of the scheme and will provide updates on the implementation as this progresses.
“I would encourage everybody currently letting a property to read the legislation to determine whether their accommodation falls within scope of the new legislation.”
Hotels, aparthotels, educational accommodation, mobile accommodation and hostels are some examples of premises excluded from the legislation. A full list of accommodation excluded from the legislation, as well as the types of short term let, can be found on the Scottish Government website.
Further information on the scheme can be found on the Moray Council website.