Airbnb hosts have criticised Edinburgh City Council over its crackdown on short-term lets, claiming Scotland will become a “laughing stock” if proposed legislation goes ahead in its current form.

The city could see an 80% drop in properties for hire on Airbnb when a new licensing scheme for short-term lets comes into force on October 1, according to report for the City of Edinburgh Council.

Many people in the city have welcomed the proposals after expressing concern about the high number of short-term lets such as Airbnb-type properties in the Scottish capital.

But owners of short-term, rental properties have criticised the changes as an “act of self-sabotage on their businesses and livelihoods”.

Among those is Louise Dickins, who is the self-catering host and owner of Dickins Edinburgh.

She said: “The Scottish Government has relinquished control of Scotland’s £6bn tourism industry to local authorities and Edinburgh Council is about to tank the entire industry for the whole country.

“What operator in Edinburgh will spend £3,000+ on a non-refundable license with the knowledge they only have a 20% chance of getting approved?

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