Short-term Lets: Landlords Should Take A Long-term View

Three years after Scottish Ministers introduced a new regime requiring landlords of short-term lets to have a licence, we have seen the first criminal convictions for those operating without one. The cases were both reported to Crown Office by the City of Edinburgh Council, resulting in fines for the landlords. These cases are unlikely to be the last, as the council has revealed that it is actively reviewing twelve similar situations.

Under the new regime, it is a criminal offence to operate a short-term let without the appropriate licence in place. Failure to comply can lead to fines of up to £2,500. Offenders can also be banned from applying for a licence for one year, and from operating a short-term let in the interim – which landlords may consider an even more costly penalty than the criminal fine imposed.