What about exclusions?

You do not need a licence for family guests, tenancies, hotels with planning permission as a hotel, hostels, aparthotels (five or more serviced apartments with a shared entrance run as one business), bothies, or accommodation already licensed for overnight stays. Use the government's licence checker if unsure.

What about how to apply?

1. Apply through your council's website. The fee depends on the accommodation and type of let. 2. Display a public notice at or near the property for 21 days from the day you apply, with your name and address, the property address, the licence type and how to object. 3. Wait up to nine months. Councils must decide within nine months. If they need longer they must apply to the sheriff court. If they miss the deadline without doing so, they must grant a licence for up to a year while processing co

What about mandatory conditions?

Your accommodation must meet the repairing and tolerable standards, fire and safety standards (heat, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and a fire risk assessment), energy performance (a valid EPC dated within ten years if you let an entire house or flat, with the rating shown in adverts) and Legionella risk standards. You must hold a Gas Safety Certificate from the last 12 months, an Electrical Installation Condition Report, a Portable Appliance Testing Report, buildings insurance and public liab

What about planning permission?

You may need planning permission for a new short-term let. There are two short-term let control areas, the City of Edinburgh Council area and Badenoch and Strathspey, where a new licence application very likely needs planning permission.

How much does a licence cost?

mygov.scot gives no single figure. The cost depends on the accommodation, the type of let and the council.

Can I take bookings while my application is pending?

The site says you must get a licence before taking bookings or receiving guests. Some councils offer temporary licences.

Yes if you let an entire house or flat, valid within ten years, with the rating displayed in adverts.

Is Edinburgh different?

Yes. The whole council area is a control area, so a new let will very likely need planning permission.

What about once you are registered?

Registration makes you legal. Distribution makes you earn. If you plan to list on several booking sites, keep one registration number and one calendar in sync across all of them: the free channel manager guide explains how calendar sync works and where it falls short. Fursat's own guest inventory is in India, so if you also run a property there, start at /list-your-property. New to hosting in general? Read How to Start a Homestay in India for the basics that carry across markets.

Journal/Homestay Guides

4 min read · 7 October 2026

How to Get a Short-Term Let Licence in Scotland

Scotland requires a council licence before you take bookings. Here are the four licence types, the process, the mandatory conditions and the penalties for operating without one.

Sneha Surana

scotlandukshort-term-let-licence

How to Get a Short-Term Let Licence in Scotland

Keep reading.

How much does a licence cost?

Can I take bookings while my application is pending?

Do I need an EPC?

Is Edinburgh different?