Dramatic shortage of short-term lets and B&B accommodation in Scotland

If it makes you feel any better, which I suspect it doesn’t this is not unique to Scotland. We have a couple of small cottages near us going through a similar process. Lady who runs one of them was telling me the woes of working out exactly what was needed. She was more concerned about the hassle than the cost element.

She mentioned having to fit new 5 lever locks with thumb releases on the inside so if one of the several smoke or CO2 alarms activates they can find their way out through the haze without locating a key. Downside being that now parents were complaining about their kids letting themselves out and wandering off. Unintended consequences:oops:

As for the local tourist tax I don’t think that’s a bad idea. A common thing in Europe, fairly cheap, and if used properly provides some funding to support local areas in providing facilities for the influx of tourists.
 
gerarddwatts said:
I wonder.

If we were to call the 'trade body' a 'trade union', would that alter anyones perspective?

Of course not. :D
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Trade unions are subject to restrictive legislation in what they can do, Gerry. They're also democratic organisations whose members vote for their most senior professional officer and the membership of the groups which set policy.

Some of that might well have been useful in this case. I get the strong feeling from what I've seen of the reactions of the stl trade body that they've adopted a very negative view of the legislation and tried to reverse it. I did a quick search of their responses to local authority consultations and it's all NO, NO, NO, NO. And the same response to every local authority. Despite the fact that conditions will vary across the country. I doubt very much if all STL owners have the same position re the legislation but that's not reflected in the approach taken by the trade body.

A more sensible policy might have been to work with the SG to mitigate some of the practical issues raised. As has been pointed out, STLs fulfill a useful need in Scottish tourism but they need to be regulated. Accepting that from the start would have been a more productive way of going about things.
 
Hmmmm....I have seen some comments here which suggest the STL licensing fee is an 'investment' in their business. It is not, and neither hosts nor the Scottish Government consider that it is. It is a compulsory additional charge that is meant to cover the costs of the local authority's administration of the scheme...although some of the fees are clearly disproportionate to the scale of the task.

If this licensing fee were to be considered an investment it would also follow that a road tax license, driving license, TV license, liquor license, entertainment license, night-time food & drinks license etc. etc. are all an investment...which they are not. They are an additional overhead to operating costs, and therefore a drain on profit which, for some small operators will push them into a loss. And don't forget the STL license has to be renewed every 1-3 years potentially with the same associated overheads. It is therefore likely that urban commercial STL operators will actually be the ones who are most resilient to these charges, whilst wonderful family STL and B&B businesses that give such a great welcome will be forced into closure.

Most hosts will already have the required certificates in place, although bear in mind that a fixed wire and PAT test in the Highlands needs to be booked 4-5 months ahead (that is not an exaggeration!) due to the shortage of electricians. Where a rural building was perhaps converted from a barn or a shop, or a bakery 20 - 30 years ago, the cost of providing the required new ground plans and associated drawings can quickly run into thousands of pounds (I have seen the invoices), and in some cases such obligations go beyond what is required for guest houses and hotels. Operators of STL businesses are also required to disclose any criminal offence in the UK or abroad from when they were 18 years old and display such information. Where else is this required?

On the topic of bothies, they are exempt as per:
“bothy” means a building of no more than two storey's which—
(a) does not have any form of—
(i) mains electricity,
(ii) piped fuel supply, and
(iii) piped mains water supply,
(b) is 100 metres or more from the nearest public road (within the meaning of section 151 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984(6)), and
(c) is 100 metres or more from the nearest habitable building,

Am I passionate about this topic? Yes. All I have been trying to do is support well established, safe and reputable rural family businesses from being forced to closure, and preventing the unintended, but totally foreseeable implications for tourism in Scotland. I have also been invited to discuss the Visitor Levy with cross party politicians in Holyrood next week, so let's see where that journey takes us!
 
Posh Pete said:
As has been pointed out, STLs fulfill a useful need in Scottish tourism but they need to be regulated.
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We and other tourism industry groups strongly recommended regulation to the Scottish Government as is the case in many countries across Europe, but unfortunately the licensing legislation has taken this issue to another level entirely
 
Funny how folk see things differently.

The licence is a new expense/running cost - yes we saw it coming over the last 12 -18 months but with covid killing our small business for a prolonged period it’s not something we were able to factor in.

In no way is this an investment- that would be a new roof, upgrade the heating or solar panels.
 
DANE said:
Funny how folk see things differently.

The licence is a new expense/running cost - yes we saw it coming over the last 12 -18 months but with covid killing our small business for a prolonged period it’s not something we were able to factor in.

In no way is this an investment- that would be a new roof, upgrade the heating or solar panels.
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Tbf, how do you see hotels and small accommodation providers who have fire insurance staff, regulations, tax, health and safety requirements.

And then 'small business' having to do none of those and undercut them?

When we are discussing perceiving things differently. Note those same places were impacted by covid.
 
I've quite wrongly taken this issue into politics. I apologise.

The next thing we know the village idiot will be chiming up. So I'm out, paricularly as I'm no longer involved in the industry, and will leave the matter to the experts, of which we appear to have many.
 
Oh and they’re also trying to fuck up the Scottish motorhome tourist industry too. :blast That’s after promoting the NC500 without putting in any infrastructure, then blaming everyone else for the fuck up. :tosser
It’s getting better, slowly, but a million miles from the likes of France or the rest of the EU.
 
All very interesting reading.

From my prospective.
I bought a 2nd property at auction in 2016 as nobody wanted it (which contradicts the case of people are not being able to buy in rural Scotland)
I have been running as a holiday let since then from Easter to end of October.
I was all set up to comply with the new regulations in my situation I was ok with it as it shows my property was safe and compliant for my guests.
Added I have the small business rates reduction. Which basically in my circumstances balances off the costs of compliance. But in being a business any energy bills are charged at business rates (only double domestic rates if your lucky enough to persuade the energy companies you're not a big conglomerate).

However planning permission to operate as a BNB or short term holiday let is ludicrous.

We have now closed - this is a loss of revenue to the community and also the loss housekeeping and gardening services which means 3 people no longer rely on me for a top up in their take home wage.

Why did we close we are retiring to the west hopefully at the beginning of the year.

Which then brings up another issue we are selling our house in Aberdeen a prime opportunity for buyers to jump on the housing market as there is allegedly a lack of properties available - not so it is a buyers market with many bargains well below valuation on offer.

Finally
Over priced NC 500, Scotland and UK in general. Totally agree, again however, north of the central belt is considered in many places as highlands and islands any deliveries carry a heft delivery excess with some delivery agents not choosing to deliver at all. Added the NC500 is a victim of its own success. From a visitors pointed of view I see there is many opportunities to create services to the roaming public these could be simple small establishments creating more of an enhanced experience coffee stops sandwich and takeaway.
But no. Seems these days its too much like work, (this is seen with practically every hotel looking for staff or offering a limited service due to staffing levels) the few that have made the effort have created are making a success of things the seafood shack in Ullapool floss coffee stop in Clachtoll are an examples.

I would like to offer dinner bed and breakfast with escorted trips round the area but the new license will rule that out.
 
bhud said:
All very interesting reading.

From my prospective.
I bought a 2nd property at auction in 2016 as nobody wanted it (which contradicts the case of people are not being able to buy in rural Scotland)
I have been running as a holiday let since then from Easter to end of October.
I was all set up to comply with the new regulations in my situation I was ok with it as it shows my property was safe and compliant for my guests.
Added I have the small business rates reduction. Which basically in my circumstances balances off the costs of compliance. But in being a business any energy bills are charged at business rates (only double domestic rates if your lucky enough to persuade the energy companies you're not a big conglomerate).

However planning permission to operate as a BNB or short term holiday let is ludicrous.

We have now closed - this is a loss of revenue to the community and also the loss housekeeping and gardening services which means 3 people no longer rely on me for a top up in their take home wage.

Why did we close we are retiring to the west hopefully at the beginning of the year.

Which then brings up another issue we are selling our house in Aberdeen a prime opportunity for buyers to jump on the housing market as there is allegedly a lack of properties available - not so it is a buyers market with many bargains well below valuation on offer.

Finally
Over priced NC 500, Scotland and UK in general. Totally agree, again however, north of the central belt is considered in many places as highlands and islands any deliveries carry a heft delivery excess with some delivery agents not choosing to deliver at all. Added the NC500 is a victim of its own success. From a visitors pointed of view I see there is many opportunities to create services to the roaming public these could be simple small establishments creating more of an enhanced experience coffee stops sandwich and takeaway.
But no. Seems these days its too much like work, (this is seen with practically every hotel looking for staff or offering a limited service due to staffing levels) the few that have made the effort have created are making a success of things the seafood shack in Ullapool floss coffee stop in Clachtoll are an examples.

I would like to offer dinner bed and breakfast with escorted trips round the area but the new license will rule that out.
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Staffing issues are quite often linked to inability to live on an area.
Someone may now be able to buy the property and live and work in the area..
 
stever1 said:
The Scottish tourist industry is quite capable of crippling itself.
last year on tour in Scotland I was paying an average of £125 to £130 a night for B & B in hotels. Nothing fancy, just run of the mill ones.
this year I’ve just done about 6 weeks in Europe on 2 trips and on average paid £70 to £80 a night In hotels just as good.
As more people realise the way it’s going , more will choose abroad rather than Scotland. A shame really as all you’ll be left with is the rental motor home brigade leaving rubbish everywhere, and dumping waste tanks on the road.
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feck me sideways, went down to Faro last year and didnt spend more than 40E a night for accomodation anywhere
 
listermint said:
Staffing issues are quite often linked to inability to live on an area.
Someone may now be able to buy the property and live and work in the area..
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The hospitality industry relies on a transient populous. Accommodation short term suits their requirements. Setting up hostels with the likes the Garve hotel could be a solution
 
bhud said:
The hospitality industry relies on a transient populous. Accommodation short term suits their requirements. Setting up hostels with the likes the Garve hotel could be a solution
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Hostels for staff now! Ahhhh lads..
Race to the bottom stuff.

And then people give out why people aren't having children anymore nor spend money on food and drink. Because they can't afford to and don't have anywhere to call home.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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