Inverness moves forward with short-term let control area

Scotland: Plans to introduce a short-term let control area in Inverness are moving forward after councillors raised concerns about a lack of long-term rental housing, with claims that only 20 private rental properties are currently available in the city.

If approved following consultation, the control area would mean new holiday lets in certain parts of Inverness would need full planning permission as well as a licence, increasing oversight on future short-term rental supply.

Councillors said high numbers of short-term lets in the city centre and nearby areas are affecting housing availability and changing the character of neighbourhoods. Some areas were described as having reached “saturation point”.

Inverness would be the last Highland area to decide whether to introduce a control zone, following similar measures already in place in Badenoch and Strathspey.

Other areas progressing control zones include the Isle of Skye and Raasay, Lochaber, Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh, and Sutherland, while several regions have chosen not to proceed.

Highland Council officers said the proposal is evidence-led, although the scale of the issue varies across the wider Inverness area. The plans will now move to local consultation before any final decision is made.

Highlights:

• Inverness goes ahead with plans for short-term let control area amid concerns around housing supply
• New holiday lets in designated area could require full planning permissions as well as a licence
• Councillors site a shortage in long-term rental homes and growing concentration of short-term lets
• Proposals will move to local consultation before any control areas are introduced