URGENT NOTICE: Short Term Let Deadline 1 October 2023
BUSINESSES across Inverclyde are being reminded they have just a few weeks to apply for the Scottish Government’s Short-term Let Licensing Scheme.
The legislation was developed by the Scottish Government in response to concerns raised by residents and communities about the impact of short-term let properties on their local communities, including noise, antisocial behaviour and the impact on the supply of housing in some areas.
It is estimated there are around 100 short-term let operators in Inverclyde and the local authority is urging those who have not yet applied to the licensing scheme to do so soon before the October 1 deadline.
In a bid to encourage businesses to apply and speed up the process, and to assist the local trade, the authority has agreed to accept and register for consideration short-term let applications, pending an application for planning permission.
This is an amendment to previous rules within the Council’s Short-term Let Policy Statement where planning permission had to be in place before a short-term let application was accepted.
Businesses who have been running short-term lets from before 1 October 2022 are subject to transitional arrangements. Providing a valid short-term let application is submitted by 1 October 2023, they can continue operating while their short-term let application is being considered.
A valid short-term let application is an application which has been fully and correctly completed and accompanied by all necessary documentation, together with proof of payment.
Existing operators who started trading after 1 October 2022 do not qualify for the transitional arrangements while their application is being considered and therefore will not be permitted to trade until they receive a full licence.
New short-term letting operators can only begin trading once they receive a full licence.
To make enquiries about the Short-term Let Licensing Scheme, go to Short Term Lets - Inverclyde Council or contact Licensing.Section@inverclyde.gov.uk