ABERDEENSHIRE Council is urging short-term lets hosts to apply for their licence as soon as possible and to not wait until the deadline this Sunday before submitting applications.
Just over 700 applications have been made to Aberdeenshire Council so far, which is well below the 2,000+ expected.
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Existing hosts must apply for a licence before 1 October 2023—a deadline previously extended by the Scottish Government from 1 April 2023. Hosts can continue operating while an application is being processed.
Under the scheme, existing hosts and operators that have already been providing short-term lets before 1 October 2022 must apply for a licence before 1 October 2023.
New hosts and operators, who were not providing short-term lets before 1 October last year cannot operate a short-term let until they have a licence.
Any new short-term let businesses and existing ones offering additional new accommodation must legally have a licence before operating or they could face a fine of up to £2,500. All short-term let properties need to be licensed by 1 July 2024.
The legislation was brought in by the Scottish Government to ensure short-term lets are safe, to address issues faced by neighbours, and to help councils understand what is happening in their area. It aims to balance economic and tourism benefits with the needs and concerns of local communities.
Find out more about the legislation, the Scottish Government guidance and to make an application on Aberdeenshire Council’s website.
