Moray rejects short-term lets control area after housing review

Councillors in Moray have decided not to introduce a “control area” for short-term property lets.

The issue has been debated at councils across Scotland, amid a deepening housing shortage, particularly in rural areas.

The latest review in Moray found concentrations of short-term lets in popular coastal areas such as Cullen, Findhorn and Lossiemouth.

However, overall, numbers were relatively small compared with the total housing stock.

Councillors concluded that there was no clear evidence that demand had reduced the availability of housing for local people – or pushed up house prices.

The report also found no sign of negative impacts on local services, community life or neighbourhood amenity such as increased complaints or loss of facilities.

Councillors also noted that short-term lets play a positive role in supporting tourism and the local economy, particularly in coastal and rural communities.

To date, 753 short-term let licences have been issued across Moray.

Council leader Kathleen Robertson, said: “We’ve carefully reviewed the information. We know there are concerns in some communities but the data shows short-term lets are limited in number and mainly concentrated in a few areas.

“There is no strong evidence that they are causing widespread problems for housing or local services.”

She added: “Tourism is vital to Moray, and short-term lets are part of that success story. We will continue to keep this under review and take action if the situation changes in future.”