Short-term Let Licensee Survey

This short survey is part of Orkney Islands Council’s ongoing research into short-term lets. Your responses will help inform future tourism policy within the next Local Development Plan, particularly in relation to visitor accommodation. Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your views.

The survey will close Friday 19 December.

1. How many short-term lets do you own?

Note: If you operate more than one short-term let, please answer subsequent questions based on the property with the most frequent guest stays.

2. What type of property do you operate? (Select all that apply)

(a) detached house

(b) semi-detached or terraced house

(c) flat, maisonette or apartment with shared entrance

(d) flat, maisonette or apartment with private entrance

(e) a room, or rooms

(f) another type of accommodation

(g) prefer not to say

3. What types of guests typically stay at your property? (Select all that apply)

(a) visitors (e.g., tourism or business)

(b) key workers

(c) seasonal workers

(d) contractors or tradespeople

(e) your own friends or family

(f) other (please specify)

4. During which months is your property typically available for short-term letting?

A

year-round

B

seasonal (April–October)

C

Other

5. Approximately how many weeks per year is your property typically occupied by paying guests?

A

fewer than 4 weeks

B

4-12 weeks

C

13-26 weeks

D

27-39 weeks

E

40-48 weeks

F

49-52 weeks

6. Which of the following best describes the previous use of the short-term let property?

A

individual room in my residential home

B

used by an owner-occupier

C

let out on a longer-term residential lease

D

used as a personal holiday home for short periods

E

property vacant / unused

F

new build used only for short-term letting

G

Other

7. When did your property first operate as a short-term let?

A

before 2017

B

2017-2019

C

2020-2022

D

2023-2025

8. Do you intend to renew your short-term let license?

10. What are your main reasons for starting to offer short-term lets? (Select up to three options)

(a) had a spare room I wanted to use

(b) had an existing property that was not being fully utilised

(c) previously let on a longer-term basis, but short-term lets provide greater legal protection

(d) saw it as a good investment opportunity

(f) other (please specify)

11. As a short-term let operator, what are the main challenges you face? (Select up to three options)

(a) licensing / regulation

(b) maintenance costs

(c) energy / utilities costs

(d) seasonal demand

(e) staffing

(f) other (please specify)

12. How would you describe tourism’s effect on local housing availability?

A

very positive

B

positive

C

neither positive nor negative

D

negative

E

very negative

F

unsure / no comment

Short-term Let Licensee Survey

1. How many short-term lets do you own?

2. What type of property do you operate? (Select all that apply)

3. What types of guests typically stay at your property? (Select all that apply)

4. During which months is your property typically available for short-term letting?

5. Approximately how many weeks per year is your property typically occupied by paying guests?

6. Which of the following best describes the previous use of the short-term let property?

7. When did your property first operate as a short-term let?

8. Do you intend to renew your short-term let license?

10. What are your main reasons for starting to offer short-term lets? (Select up to three options)

11. As a short-term let operator, what are the main challenges you face? (Select up to three options)

12. How would you describe tourism’s effect on local housing availability?

13. Do you have any additional comments or suggestions about short-term lets in Orkney?