Lawnmarket flat rent plan rejected amid concerns ‘Victorian rules’ were unenforceable

Councillors rejected the plans for the Lawnmarket flat rent. Pic: Jane Barlow

A bid to transform an Old Town home into a short term let have been rejected amid concerns that proposed “Victorian boarding house rules” could not be enforced.

The council decision comes as it is revealed more property in the city centre is now available for short term lets than traditional private rented housing.

Sangita Sapkota appealed a delegated decision by planning officers to turn a two-bedroom Lawnmarket residential flat into permanent short term lettings.

Officers turned down the original application due to it having “detrimental impacts on neighbouring amenity”, but Mrs Sapkota took the application to the council’s planning local review body.

The city council believes an influx of short term lets, such as Airbnb properties, are having a “direct impact on the availability and price of private rented homes” in the Capital.

In a report to the authority’s housing and economy committee,  officers said: “There are reported to be more than 9,000 properties in Edinburgh being advertised for short term lets.

“Research estimates that around 10 per cent of private rented sector stock is being used for short term lets with the highest levels of short term lets available in traditional private rented sector areas. In the city centre, more rental stock is now available for short term rent than for traditional private rented sector.”