January 2022

Motion Lodged

Posted on January 25, 2022 by Fiona Campbell

The following motion has been lodged by Rachael Hamilton MSP:

S6M-02835: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 24/01/2022

Short-term Let Licensing Scheme

That the Parliament recognises that the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee held an online survey to gather views on the Scottish Government’s plans to require local authorities to introduce a licensing scheme for short-term let accommodation; understands that, out of a total of 2,578 responses, 1,200 respondents said they “strongly oppose” the new regulations, compared with around 500 who said that they “strongly support” the regulations; further understands that over 60% of respondents said that they believed the regulations would drive up costs for small short-term let businesses, while approximately 45% said the regulations would lead to the closure of short-term let businesses; acknowledges the concerns about the proposals that were expressed by organisations such as the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, Scottish Agritourism and the National Farmers Union of Scotland, and urges the Scottish Government not to proceed with what it considers to be damaging proposals that threaten small rural businesses and livelihoods.

Supported by: Stephen Kerr

Parliamentary Questions – Funding for Self-Catering Businesses

Posted on January 25, 2022 by Melanie Allen

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT – WRITTEN ANSWERS TO PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

24 January 2022

Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government for what reason self-catering, bed and breakfast accommodation and guest houses have reportedly been excluded from COVID-19 business funding delivered through VisitScotland, while hotels and hostels have been eligible for support.

Ivan McKee: The funding package to deal with the Omicron crisis was focused on those businesses most severely impacted by the cancellations due to public health advice and re-introduction of regulations on some businesses. The hostel sector whose business model is reliant on accommodating large numbers of (often unrelated) households mixing at one time, was particularly impacted during this period. Similarly hotels with bars and restaurants were particularly affected and therefore made eligible for hospitality top-up payments.

We sympathise with businesses such as self-catering, B&Bs and Guesthouses and others which have also been impacted by COVID-19. However, with limited funds available we have had to focus support on those most severely affected by restrictions. We will continue to consider the impacts of COVID and make the case with the UK Government for more comprehensive support.

Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available to self-catering businesses that have seen their business disrupted by COVID-19.

Ivan McKee: The funding package to deal with the Omicron crisis has been targeted at those businesses most severely impacted by the cancellations due to public health advice and re-introduction of restrictions on some businesses. For this tranche of funding this has meant support for the hostel sector, and hotels with bars and restaurants.

We recognise that the self-catering sector, alongside many other businesses across Scotland has also been adversely affected by COVID-19 and we strongly sympathise with them in light of the challenges this has presented. Limited funding available has necessitated our focus on targeting those most impacted by restrictions. We will continue to monitor the impacts of COVID on businesses and to engage in dialogue with the UK Government on the case for support.

Electrical Safety Checks Announced For Short-Term Lets In Scotland

Posted on January 25, 2022January 25, 2022 by Fiona Campbell

New laws will see 5 yearly checks on electrical installations and appliance testing.

Mandatory five yearly electrical safety checks are to be introduced for short term lets in Scotland as well as electrical appliance testing, the Scottish Government has announced.

Owners of short term lets in Scotland, will be required to prove their properties are electrically safe under new laws passed by Holyrood in a first of its kind for the UK.

Under new legislation the electrical installation, including wiring, sockets and fittings within the property will need to be inspected and tested by a competent person at least every five years. On completion an electrical installation condition report (or EICR) must be provided to the owner.

Appliances that are accessible to guests will also be required to be inspected and tested which could include washing machines, tumble dryers and fridges. A report will be required to prove the safety of these appliances called a Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) Report.

The introduction of these new laws will see Scotland become the first nation within the UK to introduce electrical safety regulations on short term lets.

Current laws and standards in Scotland already require landlords within the private rented sector and social rented sector to undertake five yearly electrical safety checks however owners of short term lets were not covered by these requirements.