Question reference: S6W-12766
- Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 1 December 2022
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 13 December 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a statutory instrument in the Scottish Parliament that would seek to amend the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Order 2022, with a view to extending the deadline from 1 April 2023 for existing hosts to apply for a licence under the short-term lets licensing scheme, and whether it would consider a new deadline of 1 October 2023.
Answer
The Scottish Government intends to lay an affirmative Scottish Statutory Instrument in January 2023 that will seek to amend The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Order 2022. Subject to the approval of the Scottish Parliament, this amendment will extend the deadline by which existing hosts must apply for a short-term let licence from 1 April 2023 to 1 October 2023.
This is a one-off 6 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. It will not unduly delay our primary aim of ensuring that all short-term lets across Scotland meet consistent safety standards and are provided by fit and proper people.