World News – GB – Airbnb warns Scottish government crackdown plans risk 17,000 jobs

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Airbnb has warned the Scottish government that its plans could put thousands of jobs at risk

Scottish government plans to regulate Airbnb style short-term rentals could jeopardize nearly 17,000 jobs and take £ 1million out of the Scottish economy every day, new research has warned

Ministers want to require landlords to get a license before operating as a short-term rental – with those not facing a fine of up to £ 50,000

The Scottish Government is currently holding a consultation on the proposals, with the intention of rolling them out from April

But Biggar Economics’ analysis, commissioned by Airbnb, warned that potential job losses amounted to a 06% increase in unemployment in Scotland – taking the figures from 45 to 51% The study found that travel on Airbnb boost the Scottish economy by £ 677million per year and support over 33,500 Scottish jobs

New analysis also included in the response to the consultation shows that the average Scottish family would have to pay more than £ 700 to meet the legal and technical requirements of sharing a spare room at their home under Scottish Government proposals, according to Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP law firm

They also claim any family needing a building permit to share their home could face a bill of around £ 4,000

Opponents also warned that hosts would also have to pay a license application fee from their local authority and possibly cover the cost of Scottish government-imposed renovations, such as replacing wooden floors with carpet or vinyl

Patrick Robinson, director of public policy at Airbnb, said: ‘These proposals will put jobs at risk, push Scottish families away from accommodation and move the tourist books of those who depend on income to make ends meet.

« It’s not normal for hosts to need to demolish their floors and hire consultants before they can welcome a guest into their home for the night.

« We want to find a balanced approach and work with the government to regulate short-term rentals while protecting livelihoods, ensuring that the needs of local families who need the extra income most and who are at the top of their minds are prioritized. heart of Scottish hospitality »

Airbnb instead supports a nationwide registration system that would allow local councils to see the spread of short-term rentals to inform any decision to introduce a licensing regime – with the company stressing that any rules or regulations must be proportionate

The news comes after 38 leading figures in the tourism industry wrote a letter to Housing Minister Kevin Stewart, asking him to delay licensing plans amid the Covid-19 pandemic

Association of Scottish Self Caterers (ASSC) Chief Executive Officer Fiona Campbell, who leads the advocacy, said: “The regulations that stand-alone catering faces may well inflict the kind of damage on our vital sector, key to creating Memory holiday Scotland is famous for, which she will never recover from

This is why our friends, peers and colleagues from across Scottish tourism have joined us in sending this clear, unambiguous and direct message to M Stewart and his cabinet colleagues – think again or you will hurt us irreversibly

« Covid-19 has done a lot of damage to the economy of Scotland, the last thing we need is to make it worse with this ill-conceived, clumsy and counterproductive act of sabotage »

M Stewart said the Scottish Government’s plans « will ensure these properties adhere to a common set of safety standards to protect guests and neighbors »

He added: “It is part of our work to ensure a responsible and sustainable approach to tourism, which better balances the benefits of tourism with the needs and concerns of the wider community.

« Local authorities will also have powers to tackle the noise and nuisance problems faced by neighbors in certain areas and they will use those powers proportionately. The actions followed a close examination of responses to our 2019 consultation and evidence provided by independent research  »

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Scotland, Scottish Government, UK Government, Airbnb