Inverness community voices concerns over rise in Airbnb-type accommodation and calls for cap on short-term let properties

An increase in holiday and short-term let properties in a residential area of Inverness is adding to the city’s housing crisis, according to community leaders.

Concerns have been raised that a rise in Airbnb-style holiday accommodation in the Crown area is “crowding out” long-term residents, prompting calls for rules to be introduced to limit their numbers.

Residents and community leaders maintain the neighbourhood’s character is changing as private rental properties, which previously would have housed young professionals, are now accommodating a constant turnover of tourists.

In the longer-term, they fear it will lead to the area becoming soulless, result in a loss of community cohesion and impact on the local primary school’s roll which is predicted to drop by 25 per cent in the next six years.

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One resident who carried out an informal survey of the Crown area’s Hill district - which includes the area between Ardconnel Street and Argyll Street - identified 53 short term let (STL) properties.

Elsewhere, concerns have been raised by residents of Old Edinburgh Court where six of the 24 apartments are now used as STLs.

They cite safety and security concerns with strangers coming and going, unsocial behaviour and the changed nature of the building.

Crown and City Centre Community Council has raised the issue with Highland councillors representing the ward.

Community council chairperson Fiona MacBeath said in some streets more than 20 per cent of properties were classed as STLs.

“It is quite astonishing,” she said.

“It alters the neighbourhood.”

Ms MacBeath said there was a sense among local people that Highland Council did not believe STLs were a major problem across the region and they were becoming increasingly upset and frustrated by the situation.

She felt it had now reached a point where the numbers needed to be controlled.

“It has to be regulated by the council,” she said.

“The council regulates everything else. They should have to regulate STLs and be stricter. They have to set limits.”

Inverness Millburn councillor Isabelle Mackenzie said it had been brought to her attention by the community that a congestion around STL accommodation in the Crown area was “crowding out” long-term residents.

She worried it could lead to the neighbourhood becoming soulless.

“The school roll is predicted to fall over next decade here, compared to outlying new-build areas of Inverness,” she said.

“Crown area is seeing fewer properties available to families and rental for NHS and care workers which can potentially disrupt our local community.

“It cannot carry on like this. It is getting out of hand.”

Inverness Central councillor Michael Gregson said the success of tourism in the Highlands had seen a rapid growth in STL properties.

Across the region, there had been 8000 applications since licensing was introduced in October 2023, with 5000 approved, 3000 still pending and just one refusal.

“The licensing system only looks at the suitability of the applicant, the management of the premises and the physical condition of the premises,” Cllr Gregson said.

“As long as it is not falling down, they will grant a licence.”

He felt the introduction of STL control areas, including Inverness, should be considered.

“Planning permission would be required as soon as you got a control area,” he explained.

“We would want a more restrictive planning policy and so you would not necessarily allow them to go ahead.”

He was concerned the unrestricted rise of STL properties and transient occupants would ultimately lead to a loss of community cohesion.

Crown and City Centre community councillor Donald Mackenzie acknowledged some properties had been revamped as flats were turned into holiday lets.

“Some buildings were in a terrible condition and owners have improved them,” he said.

“When it reaches the stage where 20 to 25 per cent of properties in a street are being used for holiday accommodation, it is no longer residential.”

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