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The Edinburgh Council is contemplating the possibility of implementing fees for bin collections for individuals who own Airbnb-type accommodations.
Some municipalities in England have chosen to either bill temporary rentals for waste disposal or schedule commercial garbage collection services.
According to The Herald, the plans will be reviewed by the council’s environment committee.
There have been concerns regarding the amount of waste generated by short-term lodging rentals in the central area of Edinburgh.
Scott Arthur, the person responsible for the environment, stated that the council is examining the possibility of implementing fees for waste collections from short-term rental operators based on input from residents.
The committee will review and take into account this report at a future time.
A newly imposed fee would be in addition to the business rates or council tax that have already been paid by owners of Airbnb-like properties.
In October of last year, new rules regarding properties operating similar to Airbnb were implemented in Edinburgh.
Guests reserving short-term rentals within the city were advised to check for license numbers in advertisements to confirm that the property complies with regulations.
If hosts do not comply, they may be subject to fines of up to £2,500.
Last week, Michael Gove proposed requiring planning permission for short-term rentals like Airbnb in order to address the issue of community displacement. This announcement comes after news of the “hollowing out” of neighborhoods.
The recently proposed legislation mandates that individuals renting out their property for short-term vacations must obtain approval from the nearby governing body within a novel “use” classification.
The regulations would not affect those who are leasing their primary residence for 90 days or less in a single year.
The government will create a necessary national database to supply local governments with data on temporary rentals in their region. According to Mr. Gove, the Secretary of State for Promoting Equality, Addressing Housing Needs, and Building Communities, these adjustments will grant individuals greater authority over housing in their beloved communities.
Although short-term rentals can benefit tourism, it is important to regulate them so that local residents also have the opportunity to rent these properties.
“This adjustment creates a compromise between providing residents with more affordable housing options and maintaining the prosperity of the tourist industry.”
Source: independent.co.uk
