SFHA gain exemption for sheltered housing to short terms lets legislation

Last week, Parliament approved amendments to short terms lets legislation which frees up sheltered and specialist housing providers from the potentially significant burden of falling under the scheme.  

Scottish Government introduced their short-term lets licensing scheme in October 2022, which required a landlord to register with the scheme if a room or property met the statutory definition of ‘short term’ – largely aimed at Airbnb. While not intended, this caught sheltered or specialist housing where guest rooms are provided for friends and family, meaning potential significant costs for housing associations.  

Following representation from SFHA, the Scottish Government has agreed to exempt guest rooms in sheltered housing from the regulations. Guest rooms are provided for a small charge for visiting family and friends and often used when the tenants are unwell and need support.  

Sheltered housing is now added to the list of exemptions and guest rooms are defined as  

“…guest rooms in sheltered housing which are provided for the purposes of visiting residents of that housing. 

and 

““sheltered housing” means accommodation— 

(a) which is purpose built or designed to accommodate vulnerable adults, 

(b)which enables those vulnerable adults to live independently, and 

(c)where assistance or support is provided for those vulnerable adults 

If you would like to discuss this with the team, please get in touch with Policy Lead Eileen McMullan at emcmullan@sfha.co.uk