Non-Domestic Rates Rates Revaluation 2023

“Assessors’ offices across Scotland are currently preparing for the non-domestic revaluation which comes into effect on 1 April 2023.

A key part of a revaluation is the ingathering and analysis of information in order that rateable values are set as accurately as possible.

Accordingly, Assessors are issuing information requests, known as Assessors Information Notices (AINs), across the country. It is imperative that AINs are responded to, regardless of whether the property is receiving rates relief or not.

Where recipients have difficulty in responding, they should contact their local Assessor’s office without delay, particularly given that non responders are subject to a civil penalty, the amount of which can rise to very significant levels.”

Gary Bennet, President, Scottish Assessors Association

Do not worry if you have not received a form as yet – Assessors are not sending them to every subject. If one arrives, it is important that you return it with the most accurate data you can provide. If you don’t receive on, don’t worry.

The Council Tax (Dwellings and Part Residential Subjects) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021 (legislation.gov.uk)

These regulations relate to the requirement that, to be classed as self-catering holiday accommodation, premises must be let for a period of at least 70 days in the financial year (in addition to the existing requirement that the premises be available for letting for 140 days or more).

Find out more, including Frequently Asked Questions.

More information can be found at www.saa.gov.uk.

 

Edinburgh Council Set to Approve Citywide Short-Term Let Control Area

ALL short-term let properties in Edinburgh not being used as a home are set to be required to obtain planning permission after city officials recommended “to designate the entire council area as a short-term let control area.”.

Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell, said:

“Including the whole of Edinburgh in this restrictive and anti-business scheme will have a hugely detrimental impact on the many small businesses who work tirelessly to ensure that the capital has one of the world’s best tourism offerings.

“The real problem Edinburgh has is a lack of house building, but our local authority has chosen to pick on an easy scapegoat rather than address the real and difficult issue.

“Despite the misrepresentation that we have had to deal with, the ASSC will continue to promote self-catering in Edinburgh and across Scotland and remains committed to finding a policy solution that works for all.”

Read the ASSC response to the Planning Control Zone Consultation: ECC response to Planning Control Zone Legislation

According to the Planning Committee Report, alternatives to Short-Term Lets include:

  • Multiple hotel developments in the city and hosts who let a room in their property add to [tourism accommodation] supply. Regulating the entire property lets should not prevent visitors from coming to the city.
  • Tourist population should be naturally regulated by the number of available hotel and B&B spaces.
  • Demand should be met via development of the dedicated aparthotel sector rather than the removal of residential properties from the long term rental / home ownership market.
  • Better to promote the trend for affordable hotel accommodation to provide safe accommodation.
  • Homeowners letting out rooms and entire properties if they reside in the property the majority of the time will allow for an increase in short term lets for the festival periods.
  • STLs take business away from established guest houses and hotels with inferior facilities risking reputational damage.
  • Places pressure and unfair competition on existing hotel accommodation and similar other businesses, particularly as there is no regulation of short term lets.
  • Declining use of office accommodation means that there are other ways to think about catering for visitors’ accommodation needs.
  • Hotel businesses employ large numbers of people within the city and the uncontrolled growth of the short term let accommodation has affected that employment rate, to the disbenefit of the local economy.

https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/documents/s42696/7.1%20-%20Short-term%20Let%20Area%20of%20Control%20Designation.pdf

https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19932235.edinburgh-council-set-approve-citywide-airbnb-short-term-let-control-area/

Non-Domestic Rates SSIs coming into force 1 April 2022

A number of Scottish Statutory Instruments that have been laid in Parliament recently will come into force on 1 April 2022.

The Council Tax (Dwellings and Part Residential Subjects) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021 (legislation.gov.uk)

These regulations relate to the requirement that, to be classed as self-catering holiday accommodation, premises must be let for a period of at least 70 days in the financial year (in addition to the existing requirement that the premises be available for letting for 140 days or more).

The Non-Domestic Rates (Coronavirus Reliefs) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 (legislation.gov.uk)

These regulations provide 50% NDR relief between 1 April and 30 June 2022, capped at a maximum of £27,500 per ratepayer, for properties with specified uses in the retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) sectors.