- Brief description
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Earlier this year the Scottish Parliament approved legislation to introduce a new mandatory licensing scheme for short-term let properties from 1 October 2022.
After 1 October 2022, new operators of short-term let accommodation must have a licence before taking any bookings or receiving guests. This also applies to existing operators who establish new short-term let accommodation after 1 October 2022.
If you are an existing host or operator (operating before 1 October 2022) you can continue to accept bookings and receive guests while your application is being determined and have until 1 April 2023 to apply for a licence. It is a criminal offence to operate a short-term let without a licence and you could be fined up to £2,500.
There are four types of licence for short-term let accommodation:
• Secondary letting - The letting of property where you do not normally live, for example a second home that is let to guests.
• Home letting - Using all or part of your own home for short-term lets, whilst you are absent. An example of this could be whilst you are on holiday.
• Home sharing - Using all or part of your own home for short-term lets, whilst you are there.
• Home letting and home sharing - Operating short-term lets from your own home while you are living there and for periods when you are absent.
Please visit https://shorttermlets.campaign.gov.scot/ for more information and to check if you need a licence. - Guidance
- Guidance for hosts and operators
- Notes
- View our application form and additional guidance notes
- Additional information
- View our additional information