Scottish property owners face accommodation sites crackdown

Scottish property owners who advertise their flats on websites for get-togethers are "committing an offence" and could face police action, Constitution Secretary Mike Russell has warned.

MSPs heard concerns on Thursday that such websites were being used to book properties for "illegal parties".

Police in Scotland have been called out to thousands of house parties in recent months. Information obtained by BBC Scotland shows that sites like booking.com were used to hire space for large gatherings over the festive period.

Nationalist backbencher Stuart McMillan asked how the coronavirus legislation could be used to address the issue, as Mr Russell updated MSPs on the emergency laws.

Mike Russell hit out a wrongful use of accommodation sites

"There is concern, of course, about this," Mr Russell said.

"Whenever an illegal party is held, police resources have to be used to stop it happening.”

He said this could include an "instant fine" being imposed.

But Mr Russell added: "There's a second level to this too and that's those who own the properties.

"Those who own the properties are committing an offence and if those properties are registered properties, then they could be de-registered and the local authority could take effective action against the owners of the property who are behaving in this illegal and criminal way by advertising property, for example, for rent knowing that it is going to be improperly used.

"There should be no holiday lets in Scotland at the present moment for any of these purposes and if they are being used, then those using them are committing an offence and those offering them for use are committing an offence.

"And action should be taken by all the relevant authorities."