PEOPLE in Helensburgh are being asked what rules should be put in place to regulate short-term letting in the area.

Argyll and Bute Council wants to know what the owners of properties which are rented to individuals or groups - often through websites such as Airbnb - as well as residents, visitors and other interested groups think a licensing scheme for the area should look like.

The Scottish Government now requires all councils to bring in a licensing scheme for properties operating as short-term lets.

The aim of the government's Licensing of Short Term Lets Order 2022 is to ensure basic safety standards are in place across all short term lets in Scotland, and to give councils, as licensing authorities, discretionary powers to address the needs and concerns of local communities. 

Concerns over short-term letting of at least two properties near Helensburgh have been brought to the attention of authority officials in recent months.

At Invergare Castle in Rhu, neighbours hit out at the anti-social behaviour of some of those who rented the property, resulting in the local authority issuing an enforcement notice banning the use of the property for short-term lets.

The row led to the B-listed property in Glenarn Road, which has 13 bedrooms, being referred to in national media coverage as an 'Airbnb party pad'. 

Invergare's owners appealed that ruling, and their appeal was partly upheld by the Scottish Government earlier this year - though the ruling that the property cannot be used for short-term visitor letting remains in place.

And the owners of a property at Clachan Bridge in Rosneath appealed against the council's refusal to grant a 'certificate of lawful use' for the property as a short-term let.

That appeal was upheld by the government.

From October 1 this year, all new hosts and operators of short-term letting properties in Scotland will need a licence, and won't be allowed to take bookings or receive guests until they obtain one.

The council has drawn up a draft policy on which it is now seeking public feedback.

The proposals for the policy include:

- A range of fees depending on the type of short term let;

- Additional conditions including management of antisocial behaviour (particularly around noise and litter);

- No temporary exemptions to the scheme;

- A licence duration of no more than three years.

The consultation is available on the council website and closes on Friday, August 5 - to view the draft policy and share your views, click here.

Councillor Kieron Green, the authority's policy lead for planning and regulatory services, said: “Tourism in Argyll and Bute is incredibly important to the local economy, supporting local jobs.

"The Scottish Government’s Short Term Lets Order aims to introduce safe standards of accommodation - helping make sure people have a positive visitor experience, whilst allowing for measures to be in place to tackle any incidents of antisocial behaviour.

"We would really appreciate and welcome comments from operators, residents, visitors and interested groups during the consultation process.”

Do I need a licence if I am already operating short term lets?

If you are already providing short term lets, you will need to apply for a licence after 1 October 2022 and before 1 April 2023.

In the meantime, you can still promote your premises, take bookings and receive guests. Information will be available on the website after the consultation closes.

More information on the new Licensing of Short Term Lets Order 2022 including a glossary of short-term lets is available on the Scottish Government website.