Edinburgh Council ’s regulatory boss will write to the Scottish Government asking for the maximum penalty for unlicensed short-term letting to be increased.

At present, operators can only be fined £2,500, while those who run unlicensed HMOs and unregistered lets can be fined up to £50,000.

During Monday’s regulatory committee meeting, councillors backed having convener and Liberal Democrat councillor Neil Ross write the letter.

He said: “I think it is appropriate to highlight that there is a very significant difference between the maximum fine possible for an unlicensed short-term let compared to the maximum fine for an unlicensed HMO or unregistered landlord.

“And that, clearly, the evidence in relation to the numbers of unlicensed short-term lets, I think there is a need for the

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