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Short-term lets

Overview

The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Order 2022 was passed in January 2022 and came into force on 1 March 2022.

The effect of that Order was that from 1 October 2022 (subsequently changed to 1 October 2024), the use of accommodation for a short-term let was an activity for which a licence is required under the terms of the 1982 Act. 

The aims of the licensing scheme are to:

  • ensure all short-term lets are safe;
  • facilitate licensing authorities in knowing and understanding what is happening in their area; and
  • assist with handling complaints and address issues faced by neighbours effectively.

An amendment Order came into force on 30 August 2024.  All amendments have been incorporated into the new Short Term Let Licensing Policy Statement and recently considered at the Council’s Civic Licensing Committee on 14 November 2024 (Report 337/24  and associated appendices refers)

Further information is available in the sections below.

Contents

How many licences do you need?

You need a separate licence for each premise in which you provide accommodation.

A single licence may be issued in respect of unconventional accommodation (not a dwellinghouse) where there is more than one separately bookable property on the site.

You don't need a separate licence for short-term lets on the same premises. For example:

  • if you are letting out two rooms in your home, this would be covered by one licence
  • 15 yurts within the same field are likely to be counted as one premise, requiring one licence

Next: Licence types and periods