Short Term Let License

[Gaurav100]

Hello Everyone, 

I was wondering what happens after 1st October on Airbnb and other relevant sites. If i have applied for the license before that but the approval hasnt come through yet - can i continue to advertise and take on bookings? or do i have to cease operations. it seems that it might take a few weeks/months for the application approval to come through? 

thanks

Gaurav

[Sybe]

Hi @Gaurav100 ! It seems like you can continue operating while your application is being determined, though perhaps @Mike-And-Jane0  @Helen3 or @Fiona256 could confirm this?

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Gaurav100 @Sybe I don't know if it is standard across Scotland or specific to each council but in Edinburgh you can only rent whilst waiting for permission if you were an existing host before 2022. Best thing to do is call the council where your property is and ask them.

[Gaurav100]

Thanks Mike, 

My question is not really around the council. For them it is ok to continue to rent out if you have applied. my question is for airbnb - while the application is still with the council can i continue to let the rooms or come 1st oct and airbnb will shut down the adverts without the license number. I think common sense will prevail - but the council is taking its own sweet time in providing the licenses. 

[Fiona256]

You will be given a temporty application number and you should include that in your listing. Airbnb should not shut you down if you have applied. But of course there is no logic with Airbnb.

[Gaurav100]

I would say airbnb has more logic than the council. 🙂 i would trust these guys more than my council honestly. the latter is chaotic. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Gaurav100 The other question you should be asking, which I fear you won't get an answer to, is what happens if the council turns you down for a licence. It will be very expensive to cancel all the Airbnb bookings.....

[Gaurav100]

Thanks Mike, i think that bit is hopefully sorted. We have a guest house which already has a planning permission etc from ages ago. So it is a formality to get the STL. Though a very expensive formality. 😞 costing me almost £3k. I am just not sure what airbnb's requirements are going to be - if they will wait as long as we have applied and not heard back. 

[Helen3]

The best people to ask are the council that you have submitted your application for a license to if the information about the STR regulations are not clear on their website @Gaurav100