Roddick tells Scottish Government that over-provision of short-term lets is “devastating” Highlands and Islands

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has raised concerns with the Scottish Government that short-term lets are “devastating” housing stock in the region.

Speaking on Thursday morning, Roddick said:

“The high density of short-term let properties is having a devastating effect on the availability of housing in the Highlands and Islands.

“The number of holiday lets in the Highlands and Islands has increased exponentially over the past few years, pushing people out of their local areas due to lack of affordable housing. Long-term rental prices are soaring as more and more properties become short-term lets.

“In Shetland, the NHS is struggling to find staff as those offered employment can’t find suitable accommodation. In Skye, young people are most likely to present as homeless or homeless at home out of the whole Highland Council area, while 11% of whole properties are listed as AirBnBs.

“It is important that regulation for short-term lets is implemented as a priority in order to control over-saturation of holiday rentals and minimise their impact on availability of affordable housing.”