ASSC’s CEO Fiona Campbell, Interviewed Live on BBC Radio World Service on 28th August. Discussions covered Tourism Tax, the Short Term Rental Sector and the collaborative economy in Edinburgh
Listen Here:
Month: August 2018
ASSC Issue Press Release – CrowdJustice Campaign Stop the Threat Facing Short-Term Rental – Phase 3
Following the huge success and support for this campaign so far, we are delighted to be supporting the next phase, to take the case onto court proceedings.
Please see the Press Release and link to the CrowdJustice Page Here:
Crowd Justice: Stop the Threat Facing Short-Term Rental – Phase 3
A message from the ASSC Chairman: CrowdJustice Stop the Threat Facing Short-Term Rental
A Message from the ASSC Chairman: CrowdJustice Appeal to Stop the Threat Facing Short-Term Rental
We at the ASSC have been alerted to an increasing number of operators being served with enforcement notices to cease trading in their short-term rental properties.
There is an alarming trend emerging that has the potential to negatively impact the livelihoods of many of our members in Edinburgh as well as the wider tourism economy of the city.
As a Trade Organisation the ASSC represents its entire Professional Membership. This includes many Members who are not VAT registered and whose properties are under the council tax scheme rather than business rates, but nonetheless operate their business in a professional manner, legitimately. The traditional self-catering sector, as once was, has changed enormously over the past few years and the ASSC represents a wide range of businesses to reflect that.
The decision to support the Nicola Golden case has not been taken lightly, it has been a decision taken by the ASSC Board and one which we believe will determine the future of the self-catering industry as a whole.
The ASSC has, of course, taken extensive professional advice, and this case has been deemed as strong a case as we may expect to appeal.
It is the ASSC’s position that no change of use planning permission is required for holiday lets: the use remains residential. There is, however, no clarity in terms of City of Edinburgh Council planning policy and that lack of clarity is now being used to regulate the self-catering sector and shut businesses down. This is impacting many of our members and is unsustainable. You will be aware of the mounting negative media and political pressure to ‘control’ short-term rental. The ASSC does not believe that planning is the way to do this and seeks clarity on the matter one way or another.
The apartment in question is rented out professionally via a letting agent and is entirely legitimate. The owner (an ASSC Member) complies with all the regulations associated with professional self-catering, and the property is operated within the ASSC Code of Conduct.
As the trade association supporting self-catering in Scotland, we have a responsibility to protect the sector. This matter is critical to all self-catering operators in city centres throughout Scotland. The status quo is now untenable. Ordinary people who are dedicated to providing a professional, high-standard service to visitors from throughout the world, supporting Scotland’s thriving tourist economy, are now being threatened.
I am, as always, available to discuss this in more detail if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
David Smythe
Chairman