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Article published 29/07/2022

Self-catering businesses and short-term let providers from across Caithness and Sutherland are being offered support and guidance to help them prepare for the Scottish Government's new Short-Term Let Licensing regulations, which come into force on 1 October 2022. 

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) has teamed up with the region’s destination management organisation, Venture North, to help short-term let providers across Caithness and Sutherland understand how the new legislation will affect them and their business, as well as the next steps they need to take. 

Short-term let owners from around Caithness and Sutherland are now being invited to register for an online ‘Regulations Roadshow’ event hosted by ASSC and Venture North from 6pm on Tuesday 2 August, when industry experts will be offering advice on how to prepare for the new regulations.

The online event is open to operators of all short-term lets, including self-catering, B&Bs, guest houses, glamping pods, as well as representatives from local authorities, agencies and anyone with an interest in the implementation of the new legislation from 1 October 2022.

Anyone looking to operate a short-term let for the first time from 1 October will need a licence before they do so. Those who are already operating short-term lets before 1 October must apply for a licence by 1 April 2023 if they wish to continue doing so. In addition, the planning laws on short-term letting introduce a new power for local authorities to designate the whole or any part of their area as a Planning Control Area.

It’s really important that short-term let owners across the far north Highlands take action now to prepare for the new Scottish Government regulations, so we’re teaming up with ASSC to help our members and the wider industry by staging an online ‘Regulations Roadshow’ event on Tuesday 2nd August from 6pm.

The virtual event has been designed to help short-term let operators understand how the new legislation will affect them and their business, as well as the next steps they need to take, so we’re urging businesses to register today. The event is open to anyone with an interest in the implementation of the new legislation and is free for members of Venture North and ASSC.

Cathy Earnshaw, Destination Strategy Manager for Venture North

The ASSC is delighted to collaborate with Venture North for the latest ASSC Regulations Roadshow. Previous events have proven to be highly informative for stakeholders and our online event for those in Caithness and Sutherland promises to be no different.

Short-term let operators don’t have long to prepare for these new regulations. We would strongly encourage as many businesses as possible in Caithness and Sutherland to sign up for the event to understand what they need to do in order to comply.

Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC),

The Regulations Roadshow event is free of charge for Venture North and ASSC members. To access the member discount code, please email info@venture-north.co.uk. For non-members, tickets cost £25 per person, including VAT, plus Eventbrite fee. 

Register online today for your space for the Regulations Roadshow on Tuesday 2 August.

ASSC Online Survey

In order to capture insights from the sector on the new legislation, the ASSC has launched a new online survey in conjunction with The Moffat Centre. The view and opinions gathered as part of the survey will be used to inform the Scottish Government and relevant stakeholders. All short-term let providers are encouraged to take part in order to ensure ASSC can best argue on behalf of the sector and its needs. Take part in the survey.
 

Highland Council consultation

In addition, The Highland Council is also consulting both short-term let providers, local communities and the public on their new draft policy document. Available until the 5 August, the results from the online survey will be discussed in finalising the policy statement at the Highland Licensing Committee. Take part in this survey today. 

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