ASSC Launches Code of Conduct for Traditional Self-Catering Sector

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers launched a Code of Conduct, aimed at improving standards in the industry and encouraging best practice.

The Code has been developed alongside a Scottish Government study and comes with a Policy Recommendation Paper, which sets out how the vital self-catering sector in Scotland can be improved for customers, hosts, and all others involved. Both documents have been presented to the Expert Panel on the Collaborative Economy.

ASSC launched its Code of Conduct in association with the Short-Term Accommodation Association (STAA), which has also developed a policy paper looking into improving working life for platform hosts. During the process of drafting both the policy document and the Code of Conduct, ASSC and STAA worked together in close collaboration, in association with key collaborative economy platforms such as Airbnb, for the benefit of all parts of the industry (September 2017).

ASSC Code of Conduct

STAA code of conduct

POLICY PAPER – Scotland

Code of Conduct Press Release

Press Releases Issued by the ASSC

• The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) have expressed concern at the recommendations contained in a new report from City of Edinburgh Council which will be presented to the Corporate Policy and Strategy Committee next week. ASSC Respond to New City of Edinburgh Council Report on Short Term Lettings 2.8.18
• The ASSC issued a statement following the publication of Scottish Enterprise’s report: The Collaborative Economy and Scottish Tourism (1st February 2018). ASSC Scottish Enterprise Statement.
• The ASSC issued a statement following the publication of the Scottish Expert Panel on the Collaborate Economy Final Report. Overall, the ASSC has welcomed the panel’s final report and eagerly anticipates working with the Scottish Government in implementing its contents (29th January 2018). ASSC Statement on Expert Panel.
• The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC), the only trade body representing the sector in Scotland, has launched its new Code of Conduct, aimed at improving standards in the industry. The Code has been developed alongside a Scottish Government study and comes with a Policy Recommendation Paper which sets out how the vital self-catering sector in Scotland can be improved for customers, hosts, and all others involved. Both documents have been presented to the Expert Panel on the Collaborative Economy (14th September 2017). Code of Conduct Press Release
• ASSC Reacts to Barclay Review With “Cautious Optimism”: The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) has welcomed several of the recommendations made in the Barclay Review of Non-Domestic Rates but also expressed a desire to see further action taken to help the hospitality sector in Scotland. In its reaction, the ASSC – the only organisation representing Scotland’s self-catering sector – praised some of the review’s recommendations as being helpful to the prosperity of the sector but also noted the need for development in some areas (23rd August 2017)… Barclay Review Press Release
• ASSC Hits Back at Short-Term Let Critics: The ASSC has responded to the increasing level of criticism levelled at the short term letting sector. A number of reports released in recent weeks ignore the substantial benefits the sector brings to the local and national economy (14th August 2017)… ASSC Hits Back at Short-Term Let Critics

• A ‘booming’ tourism industry has helped make Inverness the nation’s second largest city for traditional self-catering accommodation, according to a major new study (28th June 2017)… Booming Inverness is Scotland’s second largest city for traditional self-catering apartments

• Perth’s growing reputation as a cultural and business hub has made it a flourishing location for traditional self-catering accommodation, according to the industry’s trade body… (28th June 2017)… Self-catering apartments flourish in Perth thanks to the Fair City’s growing reputation as cultural and business hub
• New research into the economic impact of the self-catering sector has, for the first time, revealed that those residing in short term lettings spend more than £723m in Scotland each year… (21st June 2017)[download id=”136″]
• Scotland’s most pet-friendly holiday homes revealed: EmbraceScotland Announces Winner of Inaugural “Paws for a Break Pet-Friendly Award” (22nd May 2017)… EmbraceScotland’s Paws for a Break Award-Winners
• Scotland’s extensive “right to roam” access makes it “top dog” when it comes to holidaying with a canine companion. The country offers an array of experiences, specifically with Fido in mind and now, thanks to EmbraceScotland’s “Pets Welcome Charter”, there’s a wide range of pooch-friendly pads to cater for their every need. (January 2017)… EmbraceScotland’s Top Doggie Getaways

• Following a leap in demand for pet-friendly travel, Embrace Scotland, has launched a “Pets Welcome Charter”, to make it easier for guests, holidaying with their beloved furry friends, to find the purrfect property (27th September 2016)…. Embrace Scotland Paws for a Break Launch release

• A digital marketing campaign targeting the “Hound Pound” – the money spent by pet-owners who take their four-legged friends on holiday – has been awarded £20,000 by VisitScotland (July 2016)…. Paws for a Break Press Release

 

 

September 2018: ASSC’s 40th Anniversary Publication – Download your copy:

ASSC 40th Anniversary Magazine

 

July 2018: ASSC submitted evidence to the Energy Efficiency Consultation: ‘Making our homes and buildings warmer, greener and more efficient consultation’.

The ASSC welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation, and the full response can be downloaded here:

Energy Efficiency Consultation

June 2018: New Report Shows Benefits of Short-Term Rental in Scotland

Scotland’s traditional short-term rental sector continues to make a positive impact on the Scottish economy, a new report has found.

The findings show:

• professional short-term rentals generates £723million of economic activity within the Scottish economy annually.
• the industry supports 15,000 FTE jobs in Scotland and plays a significant role in Scotland’s growing tourism sector.
• the real impact of the industry in Scotland.
• how essential short-term rentals are to the growing Scottish economy.
• the impact on housing supply, tax, and society.

Download the full report:

More Than Just Houses

November 2017: ASSC Publishes Response to the Islands Bill

The Scottish Government has introduced an Islands Bill, which is currently being scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee.

The Bill encompasses a disparate set of issues and aims to strengthen and protect Scotland’s island communities by:

1. Developing a National Islands Plan;
2. Introducing duties on Ministers and relevant public bodies to have regard to island communities in exercising their functions;
3. Protecting the Scottish parliamentary constituency boundary of Na h-Eileanan an Iar;
4. Allowing exceptions, for inhabited islands, to the standard three or four member ward rule for local government electoral wards; and
5. Introducing a regulation-making power for the Scottish Government to create a licensing scheme in regard to works under the sea in coastal waters surrounding islands.

The ASSC welcomes the central thrust of the Islands Bill and its objective of ensuring that the needs of island communities are met now and in the future.

Briefing Paper – Self-catering in rural Scotland

November 2017: ASSC Reacts to the Homes First campaign

Andy Wightman led a Members’ Business Debate, launching Homes First, the Scottish Green Party campaign focusing on short-term lets on 8^th November.

Andy Wightman Position Paper

September 2017: ASSC Launches Code of Conduct for Traditional Self-Catering Sector

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers has launched its new Code of Conduct, aimed at improving standards in the industry. The Code has been developed alongside a Scottish Government study and comes with a Policy Recommendation Paper, which sets out how the vital self-catering sector in Scotland can be improved for customers, hosts, and all others involved. Both documents have been presented to the Expert Panel on the Collaborative Economy.

ASSC launched its Code of Conduct in association with the Short-Term Accommodation Association (STAA), which has also developed a policy paper looking into improving working life for platform hosts. During the process of drafting both the policy document and the Code of Conduct, ASSC and STAA worked together in close collaboration, for the benefit of all parts of the industry.

ASSC Code of Conduct

STAA code of conduct

POLICY PAPER – Scotland

June 2017: Consultation on Energy Efficiency and Condition Standards in Private Rented Housing

The Scottish Government have published proposals as part of a consultation to ensure that all private rented homes in Scotland meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency and also to make amendments to the required condition standards to improve overall condition.

The ASSC has developed a background briefing on Energy Performance Certificate requirements to holiday home lets, and has submitted to the consultation.

Energy Performances Certificates – Background Briefing

Energy Efficiency Consultation Response

Template letter to MSP

June 2017: Glasgow City Council Consultation: City Development Plan Supplementary Guidance for Economic Development

Glasgow City Council sought views on their City Development Plan Supplementary Guidance for Economic Development. This will provide an overarching context for how new development proposals should be approached and prepared to deliver successful places.

The ASSC submitted views in June 1017.

GCC City Development Plan Supplementary Guidance Consultation _ ASSC Representation

April 2017: Calls for Evidence from the Scottish Government

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers has been stepping up its political engagement in recent months by responding to two separate calls for evidence from the Scottish Government, as well as one from a Scottish Parliament Committee.

In April 2017, the ASSC supplied evidence to the Scottish Government on scoping research on the supply and demand for short-term lets in Scotland.

In May,  the ASSC’s Chairman David Smythe appeared before MSPs at the Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee to provide evidence on the tourism sector alongside other industry stakeholders. You can watch recorded coverage of his appearance here, or read the Official Report of the meeting.

Later that month,  the ASSC provided written evidence to the Scottish Expert Panel on the Collaborative Economy which was established to provide “advice, expertise and experience to ongoing policy development on the collaborative economy”. This Panel will eventually provide recommendations to Scottish Government Ministers on the opportunities and challenges in this area, including on peer-to-peer accommodation. Read the report: Call for Evidence – ASSC.

In all three instances, the ASSC has highlighted the valuable contribution its members make to the Scottish tourism economy and cautioned against policies that would be detrimental to our industry, such as disproportionate regulation of the short term let market.

The ASSC looks forward to lobbying Scottish policymakers on these key issues, and other matters of relevance, in the year ahead.

April 2017: ASSC Economic Impact Assessment of Short-Term Lettings on the Scottish Economy

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers commissioned Frontline Consultants to carry out a major study to measure the Economic Impact of the Self-Catering sector in Scotland.

The evaluation reveals the economic impact of all visits made to self-catering providers in Scotland, and provides an area by area breakdown of this expenditure.  It:

• assesses expenditure by property-owners and managers, and visitors in the local economy;
• provides an independent, evidence-based, understanding of the direct and indirect economic impact/contribution of the self-catering sector in Scotland;
• estimate the full-time equivalent jobs supported by the sector

The findings from this research provide evidence of the value of the self-catering sector to the Scottish economy and heighten the recognition of the sector as an essential part of the tourism mix and economic growth.

ASSC_Economic_Impact_Assessment_of_Short_Term_Lettings_on_the_Scottish_Economy_-_Final_Report_v1.2