Dear Ms Grant

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Thank you for your request for information.

Q: What is the total in British pounds sterling collected annually for non domestic rates from owners who run their properties as businesses as a short let party/holiday flat for more than 140 days a year with more than 6 occupants?

A: The amount charged in respect of such properties for the financial year 2010/2011 is £436,320.18. Please note this is the amount charged; the amount collected would require further analysis - please let me know if you require this figure.

Q: Are party/holiday flats in use for more than 140 days and with more than 6 occupants allowed to use residential waste collection or do they have to pay for business waste collection?

A: If the assessor of the Lothian Valuation Joint Board assesses the property as a domestic property as opposed to commercial, they may use residential waste collection.

Q: How much is paid towards business waste from party/holiday flats in Edinburgh annually?

A: We do not hold this information. As these properties are commercial properties the owner/tenant can engage a refuse collection with a number of businesses that they choose.

Q: How does the City of Edinburgh Council monitor the levels of occupancy in party/holiday flats in order to know whether to collect non domestic rates?

A: It is the responsibility of the assessors of the Lothian Valuation Joint Board to decide whether a property falls under the Council Tax roll or under the non domestic rate roll. You should make your enquiry to the Lothian Valuation Joint Board: www.lothian-vjb.gov.uk

Q: Does the City of Edinburgh Council expect fire certificates, fire safety equipment etc in party/holiday flats in Edinburgh? Is there a Council decision that has made a policy on this?

A: This is the responsibility of The Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Services. You should make your enquiry to them: www.lothian.fire-uk.org

If you are not happy with this decision, or you want to complain about the way in which we have handled your application, please write to The Head of Legal and Administrative Services, The City of Edinburgh Council, Waverley Court, Business Centre 3.1, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG. E mail: [email address] You have the right to appeal the above decision within 40 working days of receipt of this letter.

If, after you have received a reply from The Head of Legal and Administrative Services, you remain dissatisfied, you have 6 months within which you may ask The Scottish Information Commissioner to conduct a review. You can contact him at: The Scottish Information Commissioner, Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS. Telephone: 01334 464610. Fax: 01334 464611. Email: [email address] .

For further information on Freedom of Information, please telephone us on 0131 200 2340 or visit our website at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/foi .

If you have any queries, please contact David Mills, Development Officer, tel 0131 469 5782, or email [email address] .

Yours sincerely

David Mills

Development Officer

Development Team