Iain @Edinburgh_flex Twitter profile

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Iain

@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@bobgreid @andywightman @scotgov Not listened to anyone

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

This is a prime example of how a lack of precision in the STL legislation will have significant unintended consequences. The precise issue here is that for anyone to provide temporary accommodation for student paramedics is: - To provide temporary accommodation for a 10 week

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

If there really are 32,000 premises that need an STL licence, and there is now clear evidence that this is deeply unpopular with those who require the licence (as now evidenced by tiny % take up), that’s a lot of voters, their immediate families, support services, trades etc who

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

Thread: For those wondering what the second Judicial Review in relation to the Short Term Let (STL)licensing scheme is all about and also why the application rate in Edinburgh is so low (<10%), there is both a very simple but also a quite technical reason for this.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

There have been many many comments from Government MSPs in relation to ‘solving housing shortages’ though STL licensing. Just to make very clear, as some still don’t seem to realise this in relation to STL licensing : **There is NOTHING in licensing policy to directly address

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@HumzaYousaf regarding STL statements. You have once again stated that applicants have had "20 months" to submit license applications, as if this is merely an administrative issue. This is a complete misrepresentation of facts and overlooks the ongoing legal issues with policies

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@AngusRobertson How on earth did you come up with this nonsense?! “According to the Chartered Institute of Housing, in Edinburgh, nearly 1 in 6 homes are a short-term let. In the centre, it is 1 in 4. That’s 812 STL listings for every square kilometre.” This is just made up.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@PLACEEdinburgh My ‘lived experience’ of shared stairs - workmen, deliveries, bikes, students, pets, rubbish, cleaning, communal repair disputes, nosey neighbours, parking, buzzer / door fixes, children, prams. I had no issues with the two STLs in my block.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@PaulMcLennan7 - Someone new in govt looking for temporary accommodation near Parliament, 2 months later in year. Suggestions? Not much will be available due to STL planning and licensing combo shutdown. @JohnMasonMSP Any tents within half a mile of Scottish Parliament?

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@AgentP22 A Yes vote doesn’t mean an SNP government.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

Many more will apply in the coming weeks, but make no mistake this will be under duress, with CEC happily collecting fees, rejecting 98% of planning application and pocketing licence fees with no work required. It’s a scandal in the making and it needs paused asap for a rethink

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@JohnMasonMSP @JoJoM27215717 @BrenReil84 @MoiAliEdinburgh @TanyaN090770 @KarMel9111 @SaveSCScotland @ScotBandBassoc Really John? Is that why we are having to take legal action against GCC? First of you are incorrect, go to GCC licensing page and try to apply for a licence if you are a main door flat. I’ll wait… This scheme really needs halted until legal issues are resolved. Hundreds in

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

V disappointing that Humza has said scheme going ahead. I also find it extremely surprising CEC and @cllrcammyday are so keen to press ahead in full knowledge their policy is still very likely unlawful, choosing instead to defend another Judicial Review.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@JohnMasonMSP @BrenReil84 @seanasay @DeeWardRottal @FionaCampbell74 @JoJoM27215717 @MoiAliEdinburgh @TanyaN090770 @KarMel9111 @SaveSCScotland @ScotBandBassoc There is not a single planning lawyer that didn’t find the Glasgow licensing policy unlawful when they read it. It seems to be the way with the government and local authorities, wasting taxpayers money taking matters through courts in the face of compelling evidence.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@ScotBandBassoc @HumzaYousaf @ASSCnews @st_alliance They keep say the are engaging. No they are not. Writing letter with copy and paste answers is not engagement. Failing to respond after weeks to letters about serious legal concern is not engagement @PaulMcLennan7

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@LivingRent_Edi There were over 1000 donations, grass root funded, many donations for £10. Also, once again, short term lets are not ‘holiday lets’ - 40% of users of the 1400 STLs in Edinburgh are non tourists. You are preventing affordable short term accommodation for workers. Get the facts

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

As well as professional fees for planning, on top of that you then need to pay between £653-£5869 for a one year licence. So £3000 costs are fairly typical, for something with clear evidence of a <2% change of success. All non refundable, fees pocketed by CEC regardless.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@JohnMasonMSP @ScotBandBassoc @Roryscott_159 @AyeCowal @BrenReil84 @MoiAliEdinburgh @TanyaN090770 @KarMel9111 @SaveSCScotland John - here is the issue. Someone told in 2020 that planning permission not required. CEC would now claim this previous lawfulness is now invalid as control area in place. Lots more with informal advice. If only 6 people had planning permission pre 2020 maybe thats because

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@SarahBoyack Sarah the 13,500 ‘airbnbs’ you quoted in Edinburgh is widely discredited. It’s giving false hope that STLs will have any meaningful impact on housing shortages. In reality the number is <0.6% of all homes in Edinburgh - a supply of short term lets is required in for many reasons.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@andywightman We have a situation where the Scottish Government agree with those taking the action yet don’t seem to acknowledge how this massively complicates and confuses the introduction of STL legislation in the most high profile STL area. A local pause would seem very appropriate.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

I have updated planning refusals for STLs to the end of August (mandatory for a licence). Still a 98% refusal rate since 1 October 2022. How can anyone be expected to spend £3000+ to go through a process that has a 98% rejection rate?

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

You aren’t going to solve the housing shortages in Edinburgh by adding a few hundred properties in relatively expensive areas to housing stock. That narrative is just false. But you will severely impact families and workers looking for flexible accommodation in the city.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@Ross_Greer @PaulMcLennan7 @HumzaYousaf @neilcgray Look at the comments. Have a long hard think. What is more popular, STL legislation or the continued support of legislation propped up by Greens and BHA. This is is net vote losing policy, pause for your own sake. @FergusEwingSNP

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

Simple reason: the vast majority of full time operators are required by CEC to get planning permission (PP) in order to proceed with a licence application. The cost of this is £750-£2250. In the past 9 months <2% of ‘change of use’ PP applications were granted. Effectively a ban

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

So hundreds of well established businesses, with Visit Scotland awards, business grants from the government etc, are now being told what they were doing all along was ‘illegal’ after investing thousands and pensions into a business that they are proud of. It’s just not right.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

For anyone in any doubt about how bad the situation is in Edinburgh STL application process, here is the raw data of success rate for the first step for those wanting a licence - planning permission: 98.3% have been rejected in last 9 months. Why apply?

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Iain

@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@cllrcammyday after yesterday ruling on STLs, it’s a great opportunity to re-engage for solutions: Step 1: Pause existing licence policy, replace with pre-registration to obtain data. Step 2: Take time to fully consider the drivers of demand and supply requirements for STLs.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@ScotTories Thanks @Douglas4Moray and @murdo_fraser for the motion and debate yesterday. It was clear being in the room that many on SNP benches are clearly uncomfortable and know this is bad policy, but are carrying on regardless. Many don’t even understand what they were voting for.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@PLACEEdinburgh @Edinburgh_CC @murrayscox @PaulMcLennan7 @KevinStewartSNP @ShonaRobison @KateC_SNP @thecockburn @LivingRent_Edi @leilanifarha @EdinCCs Not sure why you are including the filter of unused listings. Try clicking it and filter by entire homes. There never were 13,000 short term lets and there are nowhere near 7600 today. Extremely poor interpretation of data is the cause of many poor SG policy decisions.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

An analogy for CECs policy; You build a permitted extension on your house. Years later, CEC ask you to apply for PP for your existing extension, refusing this 98% of time, then asking you to smash down the extension that you built despite it being legal at the time. Fair?

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

This can all be done within the framework of existing licence and planning laws, no policy changes are required, just fairer decision making at CEC planning. But it needs to be done fast. Those already denied PP can reapply for a CoL and then a licence.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@mathcampbell @DickinsEdin This post proves the point. Data privacy laws protect data to be used for purposes wider than the original purpose. But aside from that, if you want to rent a room in house, do you think there is a need to have your full name and home address publicly displayed whilst applying?

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@andywightman An SSI to grant local powers to pause application deadlines where there is legal uncertainty or other localised issues seems sensible without undermining the principles of the legislation. @neilcgray @HumzaYousaf @PaulMcLennan7 @Douglas4Moray @FergusEwingSNP

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

It’s clear why a rethink is required. The evidence is all there with a shockingly poor take up, which mirrors the issues with DRS. This isn’t about people having ‘enough time’ as implied by @HumzaYousaf , we are 5 weeks away and still have huge issues and active legal challenges.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@yascaoimhin @AndyEMorrison @Ross_Greer Not for a family of 5. Self catering by far the choice of accommodation for larger families looking for space, especially with young children

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@mathcampbell @xerxes5th @BrenReil84 Incorrect - a STL is also Sui generis and whether a change of use requires planning permission depends if there has been a material change of use (Moore 2013 England / Cameron 2020 Scotland). That entirely depends on the facts and circumstances and many are not material changes

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

The take-up of ~20% is low for a reason. People really want to comply, they want regulation, they want safety, but the execution is poor. The parallel with the ill fated DRS scheme is uncanny, and I fear the SG know this and are just trying to prevent another U-Turn

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

There is a huge assumption we are talking about 1 night stay ‘party’ ‘airbnb holiday flats’. This is not the case. This planning and licence regime for all short term stays in Edinburgh. E.g. corporate workers for a month, visiting families etc, will be forced into hotels

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

1500-2000 full time short term lets (self catering businesses) would be a reasonable number, representing <0.5% of city accommodation for flexible short term use. Industry would support this cap. But we so far have 8 licences. It’s a quite frankly a joke of a situation.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@istreasatuatha Extremely common. Someone takes on a job overseas and lets out their own home while away. Bermuda, Australia, London or even Glasgow. People move away temporarily to make a living. I did it. STL makes sense as otherwise you need to kick out a long term tenant when returning.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

So how can this be resolved? CEC needs to immediately review planning policies as a starting point. Even critics of STLs may be shocked just how severe the situation is in Edinburgh. This isn’t just ‘shared stairwells’, main door STLs with private access are being closed.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@SaveSCScotland @Edinburgh_CC 0.7% of all accommodation in Edinburgh dedicated to festivals, temporary workers, families, medical and accessibility requirements that hotels cannot cater for seems entirely reasonable for a city like Edinburgh. Anything less than 100% approval will create a shortage.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

I’m genuinely not a political person, but it’s also clear that the Green Party have again been a large driving force behind the extent of these policies in CEC, again not understanding how things will pan out in real world. It’s clear it’s not working.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@Cloagfarm @PerthandKinross @scotgov @ASSCnews And you are one of lucky ones. In Edinburgh hundreds are paying £3000+ just for a 6 month stay of execution to put in a planning and licence application only to be rejected.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

The impact on major events will be profound. Edinburgh is an incredible city, people love to visit, but it’s clear that if 98% of self catering properties are forced to close, hotel rates will increase even higher due to limited demand and there simply won’t be enough supply

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

However, CECs position is that ALL existing STLs require planning permission, forcing everyone into the costs as outlined above and inevitable closure with a <2% success rate. This is what the second judicial review is all about and alarmingly CECs view is at odds with the SG.

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Iain

@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@LindaMacintosh2 @oldtownrez @PLACEEdinburgh @Edinburgh_CC @murrayscox @PaulMcLennan7 @KevinStewartSNP @ShonaRobison @KateC_SNP @thecockburn @LivingRent_Edi @leilanifarha @EdinCCs Next look from 2,786 how many are actually full time short term lets. Looking at occupancy over 50% excludes all summer let / student HMOs and own home letting scenarios. Now we are down to <1500. This will cross check to NDR registers and also now licence applications.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@MoiAliEdinburgh @SaveSCScotland The data was available - some chose to take the version with duplicates and unused listings as suited their agenda. Many are going to feel misled when they realise there aren’t 12,000 homes made available- a lie repeated by some politicians who didn’t question sources

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

The demand won’t got away either, and I fear with rules so strict and so severe a ‘black market’ will inevitably appear. Those following the rules will close as required, whereas ‘cowboys’ who had no regard for any rules in first place will benefit, defeating the original intent

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@JohnMasonMSP @BrenReil84 @seanasay @DeeWardRottal @FionaCampbell74 @JoJoM27215717 @MoiAliEdinburgh @TanyaN090770 @KarMel9111 @SaveSCScotland @ScotBandBassoc In the case of Glasgow, the unlawful nature of the policy was pointed out many times but ignored. It took an expensive legal letter from lawyers to change this, paid for by ASSC members and the community, to change this. This shouldn’t be the way.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@andywightman The 2nd point is home swaps were specifically included in legislation so wasn’t ‘unintended.’ If this is now acknowledged as stupid and overreach then there are many other parts of scheme that are also overkill. Mid term rentals and no definition of ‘short term’ an obvious one.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

This isn’t a case of having ‘enough time’ @HumzaYousaf you need to quickly engage directly with industry as your comments show a failure to understand exactly why there has been such a low takeup and why @cllrcammyday was right to suggest a delay may be required. @Douglas4Moray

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@JohnMasonMSP @BrenReil84 @seanasay @DeeWardRottal @FionaCampbell74 @JoJoM27215717 @MoiAliEdinburgh @TanyaN090770 @KarMel9111 @SaveSCScotland @ScotBandBassoc You are fundamentally mistaking anti licence / anti safety with those who are pro health and safety / regulation but against extremely poor, confusing and unfair implementation of what what could have been sensible regulation.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@MoiAliEdinburgh @ASSCnews @SaveSCScotland They don’t know what they are supporting. They still think it’s all party flat and ‘holiday lets’ - absolutely no thought has been given to drivers of demand. In CECs own study, they say the driver of demand was ‘more money can be made’. That’s reason for supply, not demand.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@andywightman The point here is policy objectives are confused. If the only objective of licensing is H&S then letting a stranger stay in exchange for a stay elsewhere is just as relevant as a stay in your home for money. If it’s not just about H&S then what are policy objectives of licensing?

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

Thats the simple. The technical: There are still grave doubts about the legality of CEC policy. The government (SG) position is that the ‘control area’ in Edinburgh is not retrospective. So if you were operating a STL before control area, you do not necessarily need planning.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@thecockburn Just to be clear - for those that missed it. Andy Whiteman also knows the current second judicial review has sound legal grounds. He agrees retrospectively applying control area is ultra vires - as do Scottish Government.

Andy Wightman

@andywightman

1 year

Requiring planning consent for a material change of use to STL is not illegal. It’s been the law for a very long time. Requiring it retrospectively solely on basis that Edinburgh has a STL control zone is, however, ultra vires.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

Granting a ‘certificate of lawfulness’ (CoL) for existing use is a power CEC has. If a property has operated before the control area with no complaints, a CoL could be granted, allowing a licence application to be made. It’s fair and legal and the numbers would be 1500-2000.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

This situation in Edinburgh is just one of the many situations across Scotland. Every local authority is struggling, and in my view implementing licence / planning policies that just are not in accordance with law. For example Glasgow requiring planning permission for ‘all flats’

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@MoiAliEdinburgh @FionaCampbell74 @licensinginfo @SaveSCScotland @ASSCnews @Edinburgh_CC Most authorities aren't even taking a phone call. It's chaos. Is it up to the ASSC to take thousands of calls a day? Where is the leadership, project, change management from governments who implemented this ? Red flags everywhere now @PaulMcLennan7

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@DickinsEdin @ASSCnews @SaveSCScotland @oldtownrez Another more recent example by CEC - 2020 confirming a short term let property didn’t require planning permission. Others exist, particularly from DPEA appeals body. Anyone who thinks all ‘commercial’ short term lets need planning permission doesn’t understand planning law.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

This way you keep the good operators with no evidence of a ‘material change of use’ (an assumption CEC can justifiably make if no complaints or enforcement action) and you can then control operators through licensing. It makes sense, removes duplication, cost and bureaucracy

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@JohnMasonMSP @DeeWardRottal @SaveSCScotland @seanasay @FionaCampbell74 @JoJoM27215717 @BrenReil84 @MoiAliEdinburgh @TanyaN090770 @KarMel9111 @ScotBandBassoc No that’s actually a Scottish Government licensing policy point. Local authorities refer us to Scottish Government for explanation. You are demonstrating the daily confusion people have trying to figure out what to do. You don’t know the answer, local authorities don’t know and

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@CllrChasBooth The reality is only an STL that first started after 5 September 2022 is compelled to require planning permission. There are unlikely to be many. Existing STLs only have to apply if material change of use. You need to consider this or you will be soon subject to legal challenges.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@murdo_fraser @ASSCnews The government knows much of this scheme is flawed. More troubling is many gov MSPs still don’t understand the policy objectives. However it’s not just policy issues, there are also very significant legal issues outstanding. The public will soon be criminalised for not

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@JohnMasonMSP @antonia26cat @seanasay @FionaCampbell74 @DeeWardRottal @BrenReil84 @JoJoM27215717 @MoiAliEdinburgh @TanyaN090770 @KarMel9111 @SaveSCScotland @ScotBandBassoc More recent - 2020 - no planning permission required.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@DodgyDawn @CllrChasBooth @jomowat @Edinburgh_CC @ASSCnews @SaveSCScotland @scotgov @FionaCampbell74 @ralphaverbuch An interesting DPEA appeal challenging NPF30e was successful yesterday.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@fr_oblivion9 @MarcoGBiagi Yeah there are no hotels suitable for: - A family of 2 adults and 4 kids staying for 2 weeks, like me - A corporate worker staying for 3 months - A resident getting renovations stating next schools - A film crew working on location All short term lets. Shall I go on?

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@Edinburgh_flex

10 months

@PLACEEdinburgh Simple explanation- duplicate / redundant listings. Inside Airbnb have since introduced ‘Only recent and frequently’ booked which drops the numbers by > half. Filter again by entire homes. Even then you still have duplicates, some owners have 2 listings for same property.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@GallIain @theSNP So both SNP and Labour agree the original objective of the policy was to manage growth of ‘commercial airbnbs’ in certain hotspots. Yet there is nothing in licensing policy that will directly manage numbers, this is instead done through Planning Control Areas and doesn’t require

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

This isn’t a decision for Glasgow. A local policy can’t just decide if ‘all flats’ require planning permission as this is governed by the Planning Act 1997 and case law. Facts and degree of every case need to be taken into account, which isn’t being done, closing down businesses

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@newsandpics @SaveSCScotland It’s a point I’ve really been struggling to get across. I tried to collect data of drivers of demand for STLs some months ago (the ASSC link provided). Absolutely no analysis has been done to really understand drivers of demand, how many are required and for what reasons.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@BrenReil84 @AngusRobertson It’s an eye opener how a policy can be pushed through with a clear lack of data.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@oldtownrez @SaveSCScotland @Edinburgh_CC It’s clear planning permission requirements have went way too far in Edinburgh. The words has changed, people expect a supply of flexible accommodation in cities for whole a variety of reasons. Conflating this demand with permanent housing needs is confusing apples and oranges.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@andywightman I wonder why CEC choosing to defend this action? Any insight? It does appear to be a waste of taxpayer money when those involved would stop action immediately if a proportionate and lawful approach was to be taken under this new legislation (26B + Licensing)

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@CllrChasBooth Can you please acknowledge that the information in the article is wrong. The automatic requirement for planning permission is NOT retrospective for existing STLs before control area. This has been confirmed by Scottish Government.

Planning circular 1/2023: short-term lets and planning

This Scottish Government circular provides guidance on the establishment of short-term let control areas and the need for planning permission for short-term letting.

www.gov.scot

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@TommySheppard So a licensing policy is about reducing numbers? Exactly what mechanism is there in licensing legislation to do this? Or are you referring to planning control areas, separate from licensing ? Policy objectives are a confused mess.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

This is not to say some STLs may need planning permission, and may have previously, but not all. Generally there was very low awareness of a need for planning permission for any ‘holiday lets’ with the only advice given from CEC was to register for ‘Non Domestic Rates’

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@AndyEMorrison @yascaoimhin @Ross_Greer If I can afford and choose to live in an area very popular with tourists like Old Town, New Town, St Andrews etc, I’m not going to shocked if a furnished short term let is nearby. Having a point of contract if there are issues through registration would have addressed this.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@nag_a_ram_com @PLACEEdinburgh A valid point. An anonymous group setup to be “anti Airbnb” in the name of the “community” - not beyond the realms of imagination of a tactic employed by the hotel industry. I can’t believe some of the Green Party members playing into the hands of multinational hotels.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@BrenReil84 @andywightman And if its about numbers, licensing has no levers to do this. @TommySheppard also seem to think it’s about numbers, but licensing is apparently only about health and safety, explicitly not numbers according to @PaulMcLennan7 . It’s a mess.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@mathcampbell @Monk0131 @TanyaN090770 @ColinMi62855650 @SaveSCScotland @kejruth @ralphaverbuch @PaulMcLennan7 I think you are inadvertently making the point that STL owners make. You are just as likely, if not more likely, to have issues with a long term neighbour than a STL neighbour who is gone in shortly. The statistics confirm this.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@brianjaffa Simple question Brian. Has you and your family ever stayed in a self catering property? If you were visiting another major city with a family of 5 for 2-3 weeks, where would you choose to stay? This is the service I provide in Edinburgh, this won’t be available next year.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@TheSkotia @Living_Rent Even the term ‘holiday lets’ shows a lack of understanding. Short term lets are 40% non tourism related in Edinburgh, significantly higher in other parts of Scotland. Workers, families visiting families, placements, students, temporary residents, home movers, etc.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@LivingRent_Edi ‘Consultations’ that are stacked with respondents from pressure groups isn’t a democratic method to construct policy. It’s the reason for so many failed policies using this approach. This needs to stop.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@ColinMi62855650 @JohnMasonMSP @FionaCampbell74 @antonia26cat @DeeWardRottal @BrenReil84 @seanasay @JoJoM27215717 @MoiAliEdinburgh @TanyaN090770 @KarMel9111 @SaveSCScotland @ScotBandBassoc Ooft - great question. One I hope the DPEA will seriously consider when they soon receive an avalanche of appeals. Primary legislation is national, local authorities have no say.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@andywightman This actually goes to heart of issue many. Understandably, many believe legislation over home swaps is a bridge too far over how the government should be able to control how you use private property you have purchased. Your ‘red line’ is just different from others.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@fr_oblivion9 @MarcoGBiagi No I estimate the need is about 1500-2000, but no demand study has even been done. These aren’t at all ‘edge cases’ these are exactly the drivers of demand for STLs in Edinburgh. The problem is the media hysteria would have you believe it’s all party flats, it’s just not the case

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@susan4leithwalk @DodgyDawn @JoJoM27215717 @JohnMasonMSP @FionaCampbell74 @antonia26cat @DeeWardRottal @BrenReil84 @seanasay @MoiAliEdinburgh @TanyaN090770 @KarMel9111 @SaveSCScotland @ScotBandBassoc Let me walk you through this Susan. You get house extension - it is permitted at time without planning permission. Several years later planning laws change requiring same type of extension to require planning permission. Do you now need to apply for planning permission? No.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

I’m also disappointed with the rhetoric and lack of action from SG. All the issues have been flagged, @PaulMcLennan7 and has inherited a mess, but really nothing has changed despite all the warnings and ‘engagement’ with industry. @cllrcammyday has rarely engaged.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@bellacaledonia Your blog shows your complete misunderstanding of the situation. You show Airbnb logo, reference ‘Airbnb regulation’ @DickinsEdin doesn’t even use Airbnb. Regs are closing down self a business model that operated well before Airbnb for decades. Workers, movers, crew all use STLs.

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Iain

@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@andywightman Many short term lets in Edinburgh are result of individuals bringing unused or underutilised buildings into a good standard, when no one was prepared to buy as a ‘home’. In any event, these properties as STLs are unlikely to materially differently use from residential property.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

Don’t start from a position of ‘proving’ it is a problem through loaded question consultation process. STLs are necessary to provide flexible accommodation for so many reasons, workers, corporates, visiting families. Why a growing demand? Demographic, workers and preferences.

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@Da91547David @MoiAliEdinburgh @ASSCnews @SaveSCScotland Scots use STLs all the time for work

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Iain

@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@JohnMasonMSP @seanasay @FionaCampbell74 @antonia26cat @DeeWardRottal @BrenReil84 @JoJoM27215717 @MoiAliEdinburgh @TanyaN090770 @KarMel9111 @SaveSCScotland @ScotBandBassoc “Scottish Ministers have confirmed that the designation of a STLCA does not act retrospectively: where the change of use to a STL took place before the designation of the control area, the normal rules apply. Therefore hosts operating prior to 1 October 2022 do not automatically

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

@brianjaffa @Marc_R_Lambert I stayed in the Radisson in Old Town last week. Singing at 4am outside hotel. It that was an STL you would no doubt be blaming the STL. The reality is the Old Town is a tourist area, it’s never going to be a quiet peaceful residential area, STLs are not the cause.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@LindaMacintosh2 @oldtownrez @PLACEEdinburgh @Edinburgh_CC @murrayscox @PaulMcLennan7 @KevinStewartSNP @ShonaRobison @KateC_SNP @thecockburn @LivingRent_Edi @leilanifarha @EdinCCs Inside Airbnb already has a filter for active listings (excluding old / inactive listings) and entire homes. There are 2,786 listing with this filter. Don’t suit narrative above.

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@Edinburgh_flex

11 months

@JoJoM27215717 @clarecoruisk @scotgov @BrodiesLLP OK so I agree with that. This is tricky to explain, I’ll try. Let’s say in 2018 you started a short term let. Planning permission may not have been required, as there had not been a material change of use. For others planning permission would have been required as the change

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@Edinburgh_flex

1 year

Where is the CIH source ?? Please provide or take down this massively factually inaccurate source. They have not once ever said 1 in 6 properties in Edinburgh are short term lets. @CIHhousing

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