Short term lets
The Scottish Government has introduced Short Term Lets Licensing under legislation approved by the Scottish Parliament in January 2021.
Update
The law around short-term lets changed on 1 October 2022. New hosts are required to apply for a short-term let licence before accepting bookings or receiving guests.
On 7 December 2022, the Scottish Government announced legislation would be laid at the Scottish Parliament in January 2023 to give existing hosts additional time to make an application for a licence. This will be a one-off, six-month extension for existing hosts to recognise the wider cost of living crisis that is placing pressure on existing short-term let hosts and businesses.
On 1 March 2023 the Scottish Parliament approved this six-month extension. Existing hosts must apply for a licence before 1 October 2023 (previously 1 April 2023) and can continue operating while their application is being determined.
Short-term lets: regulation information - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
How to apply for a short-term let licence - mygov.scot
All short term let properties in Scotland will require a licence. This is to ensure they are safe and the people providing them are suitable. The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Order 2022 came into law on 1 March 2022.
Licences
There will be four types of Short Term Lets Licences:
- secondary letting - a short-term let involving the letting of property where you do not normally live
- home letting - using all or part of your home for short term lets whilst you are absent
- home sharing - using all or part of your own home for short term lets whilst you are there
- home letting and home sharing - hosts principal home
What we are doing
The licensing scheme will require all licenced short-term lets to comply with mandatory conditions which will apply across Scotland. Dumfries and Galloway Council will check that the premises are compliant with all conditions.
- Dumfries & Galloway Council established a Short Term Lets Licensing Scheme from 1 October 2022
- On 01 March 2023 the Scottish Parliament approved the date that existing hosts and operators will have to apply for a licence changed from 1 April 2023 to 1 October 2023
- All short-term let properties will require a license by 1 July 2024
Fees
Licensing authorities are required to charge fees in respect of processing and determining, the consideration of applications. The fees are calculated on a cost recovery basis and are reviewed periodically. Currently they are:
|
| Three Year License |
| |
---|---|---|---|---|
Number of bedrooms | Home sharing and home letting licence | Secondary letting licence | Renewal - Home sharing and home letting licence | Renewal - Secondary letting licence |
1 to 3 | £275.28 | £302.81 | £189.45 | £208.40 |
4 to 6 | £306.05 | £336.75 | £210.58 | £231.64 |
7 + | £350.84 | £385.85 | £252.60 | £277.86 |
Licensing fees are non-refundable.
Apply for a Short Term Lets Licence >>
Object to a Short Term Lets Application >>
Short Term Lets Public Register >>
Short Term Lets Policy
Planning for Short Term Lets
Further information
- Short-term let licences - mygov.scot
- Guidance for Hosts and Operators
- Supplementary Guidance for Licensing Authorities, Letting Agencies and Platforms
- Self-Catering Waste - Dumfries and Galloway Council (dumgal.gov.uk)
- Non-domestic fire safety - Fire and rescue - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
- Short Term Lets Legislation Changes in Scotland | VisitScotland.org
- Home - South of Scotland Destination Alliance (ssdalliance.com)
- ASSC - Supporting Self-Catering in Scotland
Email: shorttermlets@dumgal.gov.uk
Call: 01387 273164