Caithness Area Committee Finds No Justification for Short Term Let Control Area

Following a detailed review of current housing data and short term let (STL) activity, the Caithness Area Committee has agreed that there is currently no justification for establishing a Short Term Let Control Area in Caithness.

The report presented to members at their meeting held earlier today (Monday 3 November 2025) shows that only 2% of potential dwellings in Caithness are licensed as STLs - significantly below the Highland-wide average of 6%. While some growth has been noted in specific areas, including parts of Wick, the overall numbers remain low in real terms.

The report discussed by members also highlighted that Caithness maintains a relatively affordable and contained housing market. 70% of Caithness house sales are purchases by existing Caithness residents, with only 23% of sales going to buyers from outside Highland, Scotland, or the UK - a lower proportion than seen in other Highland areas.

There are currently no registered Local Place Plans in Caithness expressing community concerns about STLs, and the wider evidence does not indicate significant external pressure on the local housing market.

Although Committee members agreed to neither progress with a Short Term Let Control Area, or to make reviewing the case for one as a standing annual item. They agreed that they could refresh and review the data in future years, only if Committee members saw a significant detrimental change.

Co-Chair of the Committee, Councillor Andrew Jarvie said: "The Committee welcomes the clear evidence basis this report provides about the reality of short term lets in Caithness. While we recognise that some communities across the Highlands have raised concerns, the evidence shows that here in Caithness, the housing market here remains relatively stable and affordable for local people.

"Short term lets are a crucial part of our economy and supporting the broader tourism sector. Needlessly interfering with the market and introducing an extra burden at a challenging time for the sector would only be profoundly detrimental to the whole County.”