Debbie

5th May 2023

Debbie has run her agency in the East Neuk of Fife for 3 years.

The villages in the East Neuk of Fife have been very popular holiday destinations for generations.

In August 2019, we acquired two holiday letting businesses from their retiring owners, who both lived locally, and had provided holiday homes to guests for around 40 years. We have maintained this service, and added new holiday homes and guests to our growing portfolio.

We employ six local people, and we subcontract bookkeeping / cleaning / linen / maintenance / gardening / plumbing / joinery and electrical services to over 20 local, small businesses.

We are open all year round, and we attract approx 4,000 guests to the villages each year, who spend generously in local shops, cafe’s, pubs, restaurants, and also visit local attractions. Guest demand outstrips local property supply every year. Immediately following 2 very difficult years with Covid 19 and lockdowns, the introduction of Short Term Let Licensing has come at the worst time. The lengthy 58 page guidance and compliance document provided by the Scottish Government, and the, yet to be announced, costs associated with this from Fife Council, had already resulted in 12 properties being removed from our portfolio, by responsible owners who perceive this legislation to be no more than a ‘sledgehammer to crack a nut’ and an ‘income generating exercise’ for local councils.

A reduction in available property, will increase demand in an already under supplied marketplace, and additional owner costs will inevitably lead to increased rents, and reduce the number of holiday guests coming to support our local workforce and businesses.

If these services and businesses don’t survive, this will have a catastrophic impact on the lives of local workers, and result in the reduction or closure of amenities and services that permanent residents depend on.