Short-term let licences have brought the Highland Council more than £3 million in revenue since they were introduced in 2022.
However, latest council data reveals 60 per cent of applications are still awaiting a determination - including 72 per cent in Lochaber.
As of January 1, a total of £3,379,370 had been received by the local authority since the Scottish Government introduced legislation mandating licences on October 1 2022.
With charge levels at the discretion of councils, the cost of a full licence in the Highlands range from £320 for a home share for one to two occupants to £610 for a secondary letting for 10-plus occupants.
Since October 1 2023, short-term letting without having submitted an application risks a fine of £2,500. Whilst legal requirements ensure potential letters must submit applications, Highland Council figures show many are still awaiting a decision.
Data from the short-term let public register to March 28 showed that of the 7,715 applications across the Highlands, 4,620 - 60 per cent - were classified as ‘pending determination’.
The backlog is larger in Lochaber. Ward 21, which includes Fort William, had 546 out of 764 applicants awaiting a decision - 71 per cent - compared to only 204 that have been granted a full licence.
Similarly, of the 573 applications from Ward 11, Caol and Mallaig, 421 were still pending, the equivalent of 73 per cent.
The Highlands ward with the most short-term let applications was Eilean a’ Cheò. The area, which includes Skye and Raasay, saw 1,425 applications submitted.
The short-term let public register can be viewed at: www.highland.gov.uk/info/20021/short_term_lets/1047/
short_term_lets_public_register.
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