Orkney Islands Council has launched a consultation on its proposed licensing scheme for short term lets.

From 1 October 2022 any new operators or hosts must have a licence in place before they can let out the room or property. Anyone who has been renting out a room or property prior to this has until 1 April 2023 to apply and will be able to continue to operate in the meantime. All licences must be in place by 1 July 2024.

The OIC consultation closes on  August 7, 2022.

Full details on the temporary exemptions consultation are available here and on the fees consultation here.

The legislation on Short Term Lets was developed in response to concerns raised by residents and communities about the impact of short-term let properties on their local communities, including noise, antisocial behaviour and the impact on the supply of housing in some areas.

This legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament covers the whole of Scotland, including island and rural communities, and offers flexibility to local authorities in how it is implemented based on local needs and concerns.

Local authorities are required to establish a short-term lets licensing scheme by 1 October 2022, and existing hosts and operators will have until 1 April 2023 to apply for a licence.

All short-term let properties will require a licence by July 2024.

Short-term lets licensing scheme part 1 – guidance for hosts and operators

Short-term lets licensing scheme part 2: supplementary guidance for licensing authorities, letting agencies and platforms

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