S6W-11456: Alexander Burnett, Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10/10/2022 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is the case that the fee for obtaining a registration for a short-term lets licence will cost more depending on the number of occupants that could be accommodated, and, if it is the case, what is the reason for this.
Answered by Shona Robison (20/10/2022): Licence fees are set by licensing authorities to cover their costs in establishing and administering licence schemes in their areas. The Scottish Government has set out in guidance for licensing authorities the parameters that they may want to consider when setting licence fees to ensure fees are affordable for smaller accommodation units.
Larger accommodation units have the potential to generate significantly greater income than smaller units. Secondary letting will also typically yield greater income than home sharing (or home letting for limited periods).
S6W-11455: Alexander Burnett, Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10/10/2022 R
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason planning permission is required for obtaining a short-term lets licence for flats, but not houses.
Answered by Shona Robison (20/10/2022): In a control area, change of use of a dwellinghouse, which is not a host’s only or principal home, to provide short-term lets will always require planning permission. This applies to both houses and flats. In a control area, it is a mandatory condition of licence that planning permission has been obtained or an application is in progress.
Outwith a control area, planning permission may be required where local planning authorities determine a proposed change of use is material, on a case-by-case basis.
In all cases, each planning application will be determined on its individual planning merits in line with local development plan and policies unless there are material planning considerations that would justify a departure from the development plan.