Airbnb owners in Edinburgh could be charged for their bin collections to “improve street cleanliness” following problems with short-term lets in the city.
The new charge would mimic those already levied by councils in England, including Dorset and Oxford, which mean that all short-let properties no longer qualify for free waste collection.
The plans, to be considered at the council’s environment committee, would be separate from council tax or business rates already paid by owners.
A Edinburgh City Council spokesman said: “As Edinburgh’s vibrant short-term let sector transitions into a robustly regulated and better managed operation, it is important that we reflect on the past problems, and deal with any negative issues.
“Working with operators on waste management will be an opportunity to both increase recycling and improve street cleanliness – this benefits them and our capital.”
Andy Fenner, of the Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), said: “Councils need to be careful here because there’s an important principle at stake.
“Currently, holiday let owners will either be subject to council tax or business rates. If they pay council tax, then bin collections are included.
“Whichever way you look at it, these rentals are already paying someone for this service, so it’s not clear what the justification for an additional charge would be.”