A NEW policy on short-term property letting is to come into force in North Ayrshire next month.

The policy was voted through by the council's licensing committee on Monday, September 26.

It will see all new hosts and operators of short-term let premises advertised on websites such as AirBnB require a licence before they are permitted to take bookings or recieve guests.

The licensing scheme covers all properties that are "available to rent by visitors on a short-term basis for the purposes of a holiday or a short break".

This will apply mainly to self-catered properties, B&Bs and guest houses as well as other temporary accommodation such as houses, flats and rented rooms.

Exisiting hosts will not require a licence immediately, but they will have to submit an application for one before April 1, 2023.

Once they do, they can continue operating until the council makes a decision to grant or refuse their applications.

The mandatory scheme is being introduced by the Scottish Government with the aim of ensuring short term lets are safe, while attempting to address issues faced by neighbours and local communities.

North Ayrshire Council will, however, be launching their own iniative as part of the short-term let policy for existing hosts.

The ‘Existing Host Confirmation Scheme' will let those already in operation request confirmation from the council that they can operate without a licence until April 1, 2023.

However, the council has warned that "this is not a licence" and existing hosts will still have to apply for lecence before the April date passes.

North Ayrshire Council say details of the scheme, and how to request confirmation, will be put on the their website shortly.

The decision to approve this new policy comes after the committee considered feedback from landlords, hosts and neighbours of short-term let properties received during a consultation period in August and September.

More than 50 responses were sent to the committee, which says it has considered many concerns, including those surrounding the level of detail required in licence plans, and amended the requirements after discussion with council officers.

Councillor Eleanor Collier, who chairs the licensing committee, says she expects to see further revisions to the policy in future to help ensure a system which works for everyone.

Councillor Collier said: “First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation. The feedback we received has been vital in helping to shape the new short-term lets policy.

“Given that legislation required us to have the policy in place for October, I’m hopeful that we have put in place a solid policy which has been informed by those most affected – the hosts and the neighbours.

“However, we will be more than happy to revisit the policy if it needs tweaked further. We will monitor and review the policy down the line to make sure we are striking the right balance for everyone with a stake in it.”

However, the council is limited in the changes it can make as the system is mandatory and applies throughout Scotland.

The licensing committee will receive a further report, in approximately 18 months time, detailing a review of the operation of the scheme in North Ayrshire, including the level of fees charged and the operation of the conditions.

You can find out more about the new policy at www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/ShortTermLets.