A new law requiring the operators of short-term lets to have a licence has come into force across Scotland - but there are warnings that police do not have the resources to investigate any breaches.
Anyone providing short-term let (STL) accommodation must now have a licence or face a ban and fine of up to £2,500.
The changes were brought in to help to tackle problems with housing demand and anti-social behaviour, especially in STL hot spots such as Edinburgh.
But critics say the legislation is flawed and a threat to Scotland's tourism sector and wider economy.
Bed and breakfasts, homes rented out on platforms such as Airbnb and the short-term renting out of spare rooms are all affected by the changes.
Anyone who has not now applied for a licence but continues to operate can be fined and banned from applying to join the scheme for a year.
Enforcement unlikely
Police officers do not have the capacity to investigate breaches of short-term letting licences in Scotland and complaints will not be a “high priority” for them, councils across the country have been warned.
The admission calls into question how effective the enforcement of the legislation will be.
Police Scotland has said the rule change will put “significant additional demand” on its stretched resources.
It is already running a pilot in the north east of the country where it will no longer investigate certain “minor” crimes.
Who is affected by the new scheme?
There are four types of licence covering different types of short let.
- Home sharing: For people who rent out all or part of their home while still living there.
- Home letting: Letting out all or part of your home while you are not there, such as when you are on holiday.
- Secondary letting: Letting a property which you own but do not stay in.
- Home letting and home sharing: This is when you let our part or all of your own home both while you are living there and also when you are not.
The scheme also covers commercial accommodation including B&Bs, holiday caravans, self-catering lets, and managed apartments.