Photo by Justin Setterfield
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Drew Sandelands
Owners of properties in Glasgow won’t be granted a temporary exemption from short-term let licensing rules during this summer’s Commonwealth Games.
Glasgow City Council held a public consultation to gauge views on whether homes should be allowed to be let without a licence during the event, as it was thought the move could help deal with a “significant increase” in demand for accommodation.
It found 48% of the 69 respondents were opposed to temporary exemptions, with 43% supporting the plan. At a meeting today (Wednesday), councillors on the city’s licensing committee decided against amending its short-term let temporary exemption policy.
Those that disagreed with the proposal suggested it could allow unchecked properties to be rented out and said rules shouldn’t be relaxed when it “suits the council”.
Some short-term let licence holders argued they work hard to provide high quality places to stay throughout the year. Opponents also raised public safety concerns.
Glasgow will host a scaled-back Commonwealth Games from July 23 to August 2, with 10 sports on show. A council report previously stated the event will involve hosting around 3,000 athletes from up to 74 nations and around 500,000 tickets would be available.
The city’s policy on short-term lets, approved in September 2022, means licences are required for “use of residential accommodation provided by a host, in the course of a business, to a guest”.
The national legislation allows temporary exemptions from the need to hold a licence, with councils able to authorise three periods, up to a combined total of six weeks, per calendar year.
Property owners still need to apply for a temporary exemption, and the licensing authority has to set a fee and timescale for when an application will be determined.
Glasgow’s policy does not allow temporary exemptions. In Edinburgh, applications for temporary exemptions are considered during the Fringe, the Christmas and Hogmanay period and for major sporting or international events.
Glasgow’s public consultation process, which ran from December 9 to February 2, asked respondents to what extent they agreed or disagreed with temporary exemptions during the Commonwealth Games.
