A Fairer Future for Holiday Lets in Ochil and South Perthshire

Annabelle Ewing’s campaign is putting short-term holiday accommodation at the centre of a wider conversation about housing, tourism and local decision-making. In Ochil and South Perthshire, platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo can support tourism and provide income for property owners, but a rapid increase in visitor lets can also affect rents, neighbours and the supply of permanent homes.

The campaign’s position is that regulation should protect communities while allowing responsible tourism to thrive. That means clearer licensing, stronger enforcement and a proper voice for councils and residents, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach imposed without regard to local conditions.

Protecting Homes For Local Residents

In towns and villages across Perthshire and the Ochil Hills, housing is more than an investment. It is where families live, young people begin independent lives and older residents remain connected to their communities. When long-term homes are converted into holiday accommodation, the local rental market can become tighter and less affordable.

Ewing’s approach focuses on making sure short-term rental growth does not push residents out. A fair system would identify areas under pressure, monitor the number of holiday lets and give councils the tools to respond when housing supply is being affected.

Supporting Tourism Without Losing Community

Visitors bring spending to cafés, pubs, shops, attractions and outdoor businesses. Holiday lets can be especially valuable for families, walkers and groups who need more space than a traditional hotel provides. A sensible policy should recognise that contribution to the local economy.

Regulation is not a call to end visitor accommodation. It is about distinguishing between an occasional home-share, a professionally managed business and a property that has effectively been removed from the residential market. Each category should meet suitable standards and contribute fairly to the places in which it operates.

Clear Licensing And Accountability

Scotland’s short-term let licensing framework provides a foundation for improving safety and accountability. Hosts must meet requirements covering matters such as fire safety, gas and electrical checks, and responsible operation. The campaign can build on that framework by pressing for effective enforcement and accessible information about licensed properties.

Residents should know who is responsible when problems arise. A clear register, visible contact details and meaningful penalties for unlawful operation would help councils address noise, overcrowding, waste and unsafe accommodation. Rules have little value if local authorities lack the resources to enforce them.

Giving Councils A Stronger Voice

The right balance may differ between a rural village, a busy Perthshire town and a neighbourhood close to a major visitor attraction. Local councils are best placed to understand seasonal demand, housing shortages, parking pressures and the character of their communities.

Annabelle Ewing’s campaign supports decision-making that reflects those differences. Councils should be able to use evidence to manage concentrations of holiday lets, consult residents and work with responsible hosts. Westminster should provide the necessary powers and funding rather than leaving councils to manage a national housing issue with limited resources.

Lessons From Australian Cities

Australian experience shows why this debate matters beyond Scotland. In New South Wales, short-term rental accommodation is registered and non-hosted properties in many areas face a 180-day annual cap. Sydney’s housing pressures demonstrate how strongly visitor demand can compete with long-term rental supply in popular locations.

Melbourne and other Victorian communities have also seen new attention on the impact of holiday rentals, including a state short-stay levy introduced in 2025. For Australians accustomed to comparing Airbnb prices with hotel rates during school holidays, the lesson is familiar: convenience for visitors can carry wider costs for renters, neighbours and local services.

Fair Rules For Responsible Hosts

Many hosts operate carefully, communicate with neighbours and maintain their properties to a high standard. They should not be treated in the same way as large operators controlling multiple homes. Proportionate regulation can protect these small businesses while addressing commercial practices that reduce housing availability.

The campaign can support practical measures such as reasonable registration fees, transparent operating conditions, limits in areas facing severe housing stress and cooperation between platforms and councils. Similar to licensing arrangements for other businesses, compliance should be straightforward for responsible operators and difficult to avoid for those who ignore the rules.

Representing Scotland At Westminster

Short-term letting sits at the intersection of housing, tourism, local government and economic development. Decisions made in London can have very different consequences in Scotland’s communities, where seasonal employment, rural transport and limited housing supply create distinct pressures.

Ewing’s campaign connects local action with the broader case for Scottish self-government. Until Scotland has the full powers to shape its own housing and economic policy, she argues that Westminster must listen to local evidence and support Scottish communities. Strong representation means raising these concerns clearly and pursuing practical change.

Residents, hosts, tourism businesses and housing campaigners can follow Annabelle Ewing’s work, share their experiences and support a fairer approach to short-term holiday accommodation. Visit the campaign website to learn more about her platform, find local campaign information and help ensure Ochil and South Perthshire has a strong voice on housing and tourism.