Notification of short term and HMO properties within local authority area: FOI release

Information requested

I would like to know why some areas of the city receive notifications of licence applications for short term and HMO properties through every door of potentially affected properties. (Marchmont) and in other areas (Abbeyhill) a single A4 sheet is attached to a lamppost in a plastic polly pocket.

Response

The Scottish Government does not have the information you have asked for because local authorities are responsible for handling HMO licence applications in their areas, including in relation to neighbour notification. You may wish to contact City of Edinburgh Council, who may be able to assist with your request: Houses in multiple occupation (HMO) licence – The City of Edinburgh Council

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

In your email, you also raise concerns regarding short-term lets. You may be aware that, in January 2020, the Scottish Government announced proposals to establish a licensing scheme for short-term lets, using powers under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, with a mandatory safety component which will apply to all short-term lets across Scotland. The Licensing Order will be laid at the Scottish Parliament in November 2021. Subject to the approval of the Licensing Order by the Scottish Parliament, local authorities will have until 1 October 2022 to establish a licensing scheme and existing hosts will have until 1 April 2023 to apply for a licence. Further information and updates can be found at the following website: Short-term lets: regulation information - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

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The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.