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Below you will see events that are currently in the calendar with more coming soon. Please note our events will be a combination of virtual webinars/workshops and where possible face to face due to the current circumstances.

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ASSC Regulations Roadshow (Virtual Event)

28th September 2022 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Free – £25

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/short-term-let-roadshow-virtual-event-tickets-402366618387

Aimed at STL business operators, stakeholders and industry professionals, to understand the next steps for short-term let legislation.

About this event

SHORT TERM LET ROADSHOW (Virtual Event)

Wednesday, 28th September 2022: 6pm to 8pm  (Virtual via Zoom)

  • ASSC Members: Free of Charge (*promo code required)
  • Other DMO Organisations:  Free of Charge (using promo code supplied by your specific DMO)
  • Non-member: £25 including VAT + Eventbrite fee (please note if you join ASSC the £25 fee will be deducted from your membership fee)
  • *SCROLL DOWN TO SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO BOOK YOUR FREE TICKET (if applicable)

About the Roadshow

In conjunction with Gilson Gray LLP, the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) is launching a series of in-person and virtual events aimed at short-term let business operators, stakeholders and industry professionals who want to understand the next steps for short-term let licensing regulations in Scotland.

Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive of Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers and Joanna Millar, Legal Director with Gilson Gray LLP will outline you what you need to know about the new regulations and give you an opportunity to ask any questions that people have.

For anyone that offers short-term letting, these events are ‘must attend’ events.

Self-Catering: A Vital Contribution to Scotland’s Tourism Industry

Scotland is tentatively emerging from a pandemic that has ruined lives and livelihoods across the country. After what has been a challenging time for all Scottish tourism businesses, our industry wants to look forward to a brighter future and to ensure a strong and sustainable recovery.

Tourism is a force for good in Scotland. It makes a major contribution to our country’s GDP, impacts on jobs, spreads wealth across the whole of Scotland; and is a sustainable, innovative and indigenous industry that offers huge potential. Nationally and locally, it benefits our communities.

The ASSC are rightly proud that self-catering has been a mainstay of the Scottish tourism industry for generations and is integral to its success and future vitality. Professional self-caterers are part of local communities across Scotland and have been for many, many years. Their value is demonstrated by the considerable economic contribution: self-catering provides a £867m per annum boost to the Scottish economy, benefiting local communities the length and breadth of Scotland, supporting 23,979 FTE jobs:

Unfortunately, the Scottish Government has chosen this time to introduce a controversial regulatory framework for short-term lets in Scotland.

Background

On 19th January 2022, MSPs voted 68 to 53 to support short-term let licensing and they voted in favour of the planning control area regulations by 87 to 33. Anyone looking to offer short-term let accommodation (self-catering units, B&Bs, un-licenced guest houses, glamping pods or the famous caravan in a tree) for the first time from 1 October 2022 will need a licence before they do so.

On 23rd February, Edinburgh council approved a proposal to designate the entire Council area as a Short-Term Let Control area. Edinburgh council is the first council in Scotland to approve such a proposal, which will require all short-term lets to apply for planning permission. This undeniably sets a precedent for other councils across Scotland to follow suit.

Next Steps

Now that the legislation has been passed by the Scottish Government, and as we move towards the implementation stage and licensing schemes going live across the country, we are committed to supporting short-term let operators navigate through the legislation.

What is a Short-Term Let?

The providing of residential accommodation by a host to a guest in the course of business and for commercial consideration where:

• the guest does not occupy the property as their main home and they are not an immediate family member of the host; and

• the guest is not occupying the accommodation principally to facilitate work or services by the guest to the host, or sharing accommodation with the host as part of an educational arrangement.

Three basic types of short-term letting will need a licence:

1. home sharing – where the host is sharing their home;

2. home letting – where the host is letting their own home but is absent during the let; and

3. secondary letting – where the host is letting premises which are not their own home.

Short-Term Lets include self-catering units, ‘Airbnbs’, B&Bs, un-licenced guest houses, glamping pods, shepherds huts, caravans on un-licenced premises.

 

About the Speakers

Fiona Campbell was appointed as the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) first Chief Executive in February 2015. Over the past 7 years, she has worked with key industry stakeholders delivering advocacy and lobbying to support the traditional self-catering sector. She has been at the table throughout the short-term let regulatory process, working tirelessly with Scottish Government officials, Cabinet Ministers, cross party MSPs, the Regulatory Review Group and tourism stakeholders to challenge the proposals. Navigating the STL regulations, the ASSC provided considered, future-proofed and proportionate solutions for national and local government.

During a period of immense regulatory challenges, Fiona has overseen an increase in membership at the ASSC to over 1,300 members, helping to cement the organisation’s place as one of the strongest tourism bodies in Scotland.

Fiona represents the ASSC as a Council Member of the Scottish Tourism Alliance Council, was a member of the Strategy Steering Group for Scotland’s Tourism Strategy Outlook 2030 and is a sector organisation lead informing the Scottish Tourism Emergency Response Group. Fiona also represents the ASSC, as founding members of the European Holiday Homes Association (EHHA), engaging with counterparts across Europe and the European Commission. Contact: fiona@assc.co.uk

Joanna Millar is a Legal Director with Gilson Gray LLP. Joanna is qualified over 25 years and during that time has specialised in Licensing and Corporate law. Prior to joining Gilson Gray in November 2019, Joanna ran her own firm. Her team moved as a whole to Gilson Gray but this background allows her to understand first-hand the challenges which face owner operated and small/medium sized businesses. Joanna has been involved in licensing at ground level throughout her career and has now been involved through the ASSC and her membership of the Law Society of Scotland in discussions about the proposed licensing regime for short lets affecting all self-catering accommodation providers. Joanna is well placed to advise clients on all aspects of their business from the licensing process, business structure, supplier contracts and terms and conditions. Gilson Gray as a firm provides support through all aspects of life and business from buying a first home or flat, upsizing and downsizing property, second homes, business premises, pre and post nup agreements, will, powers of attorney and executory matters. We can also offer assistance from Gilson Gray Financial Management who take away the confusion often surrounding areas such as pensions, life insurance, mortgages and all aspects of investments and protections such as medical cover and similar. Contact: jmillar@gilsongray.co.uk

Short Term Let Roadshow (Virtual Event) image
Short Term Let Roadshow (Virtual Event) image

For more information contact joyce@assc.co.uk

More information can be found here

Attending an “ASSC Roadshow”

  • ASSC Members: Free of Charge (*promo code required)
  • Other DMO Organisations:  Free of Charge (using promo code supplied by your specific DMO)  – For SSDA members please contact us for the discount code 
  • Non-member: £25 including VAT + Eventbrite fee
  • Joining ASSC: if you would like to join ASSC following attendance at the Roadshow, the £25 attendance fee (if applicable) will be discounted from your ASSC membership. Various membership category options are available with discounts throughout the year . For more details see here

We are working with destination organisations to bring a roadshow event to your destination. This is a valuable opportunity for your organisation to actively support their members during this challenging time.

If you would like the Roadshow to come to you, please contact: fiona@assc.co.uk.

Short Term Let Roadshow (Virtual Event) image