Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Pausing the Short-term Lets Licensing Scheme

Murdo Fraser S6M-10411 That the Parliament notes the widespread concern in the tourist sector at the introduction of the licensing scheme for short-term lets, which is effective from 1 October 2023; understands that this will apply not just to stand-alone self-catering units, but also to home sharing, B&Bs, guest houses and home swaps; is concerned that the unintended consequences of the scheme will have a seriously negative impact on Scotland’s tourism offer, and calls on the Scottish Government to pause the introduction of the scheme for 12 months to allow for modifications based on a detailed, evidence-based review of its impact. Paul McLennan S6M-10411.3 As an amendment to motion S6M-10411 in the name of Murdo Fraser (Pausing the Short-term Lets Licensing Scheme), leave out from "notes" to end and insert "recognises the success of Scotland’s growing tourism sector and that well-managed, short-term lets are a significant part of that economy; welcomes the reassurance and safeguards for visitors, hosts and communities that the short-term lets licensing scheme provides; acknowledges the work that local authorities have done to date in processing applications, and also those hosts who have submitted applications so far; highlights the six-month extension to the application deadline, giving nearly two years for hosts to comply with licensing conditions and a year to prepare and submit an application; notes the ongoing Scottish Government engagement with local authorities and the short-term lets sector across Scotland; calls on all MSPs to focus on supporting and encouraging any outstanding applications to be submitted to local authorities before 1 October 2023; confirms the Scottish Government’s ongoing work to listen to and engage with the sector, and reaffirms the Scottish Government’s commitment to an implementation review update in early 2024." Mark Griffin S6M-10411.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-10411 in the name of Murdo Fraser (Pausing the Short-term Lets Licensing Scheme), insert at end ", and consideration of changes, which, as a minimum, must include the removal from the licensing scheme of any accommodation that owners use as their primary residence, B&B accommodation, house swaps, purpose-built accommodation and room lets, and agrees that the forthcoming Housing Bill should be used to deliver a system of regulation that works for both local communities and the sector, and a registration scheme."