Rule changes create Fringe accommodation shortage, but visitors can STILL bag university rooms

July 18, 2024 - PRLog -- Confusion over Edinburgh's controversial short-term let regulations is threatening to create a crisis in accommodation for Edinburgh Fringe visitors and performers. Owners of Edinburgh's short-term let properties, such as Airbnb and guest houses, were required to apply for a licence costing potentially thousands of pounds by 1 October, 2023. Consequently, many rental properties were removed from the market.

Though an Amendment to Scotland's scheme was passed in June easing some licencing conditions, these have not gone far enough, say industry organisations such as The Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers.

Now a leading accommodation expert says Edinburgh's letting rules confusion mean accommodation for Fringe visitors and performers is likely to be scarcer and more expensive than ever before, just as the event is set to return to its pre-Covid peak.

Lily Smith, a travel expert from the specialist accommodation finder UniversityRooms.com, says: 'This year's Edinburgh Fringe festival is set to run from 2-26 August. However, this summer, Fringe visitors are facing a perfect storm. The event will be the first since Edinburgh announced tight new restrictions on holiday lets. The owners of thousands of short-term let properties had been required to apply for a licence to continue operating. As of this spring, just 105 secondary short-term lets had been granted a full one-year licence, which could cost property owners over £5,000.

'There has been some easing of the new national rules, but the initial clampdown on short-term lets couldn't have arrive at a worse time. Our research shows that 2.5m tickets were sold last year across the Edinburgh Festival. Year-on-year, that was an 11% increase over 2022's already resurgent figures. All the signs are that ticket sales are continuing to grow exponentially this year and are set to return to their pre-pandemic height.

'Last-minute changes to the national rules have not stopped accommodation shortages or a steep spike in prices during August. However, it is still possible for Fringe-goers to book vacant Edinburgh University rooms for this August. Best of all, you can stay in them even if you are not a student.

'Using the revolutionary service UniversityRooms.com, visitors can still choose from single, twin or double ensuite rooms, on a bed & breakfast or self-catering basis.

'It doesn't take an educated guess to realise that university accommodation is likely to get fully booked as awareness of this relatively inexpensive alternative grows. For more information and to book your stay now, see https://www.universityrooms.com/en-GB/city/edinburgh/home/