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

Email: shorttermlets@dumgal.gov.uk
Call: 01387 273164

Page last updated: 17/04/2023
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