Question reference: S5W-34474
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 11 January 2021
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Current status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 20 January 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how its proposed short-term let regulations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will impact on bed and breakfast businesses, and what consultation there has been with the sector.
Answer
The use of houses (class 9 in the Use Classes Order) as bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) is a form of home sharing and these will require a licence. Guest houses (class 7) are excluded from the definition of a short-term let and will not require a licence.
The principal component of our licensing scheme is a set of mandatory standards which apply to all short-term lets, and will help to protect the safety of guests and neighbours across Scotland. Many hosts, including B&B operators, will already be following these standards as a matter of compliance with existing law or best practice.
In developing our regulatory proposals, we have directly engaged with and heard from a wide range of stakeholders covering a range of interests. The Scottish Bed & Breakfast Association responded to both our 2019 and 2020 consultations on short-term lets.