How to apply for a short-term let licence

You can apply for a short-term let licence through your local council’s website.

The cost for a licence depends on the accommodation and type of let. Contact the local council to check how much your licence will cost.

Select the local council

How long an application can take

Councils must process your application within 9 months.

If the council needs longer to process your application, it must apply to the sheriff court and ask for an extension.

If the council does not apply to the sheriff court and misses the 9 month deadline, it must give you a licence for up to one year while they continue processing your application.

Advertising that you’ve applied

When you apply, you must display a public notice at or near the accommodation.

This must tell people:

your name and address
the address of the accommodation
that you’ve applied for a licence
the type of licence you’ve applied for
how they can object to the local council

You must display this for 21 days, starting from the date that you submitted your application.

Get a template notice on gov.scot.

Advertising the accommodation

Once you have a licence, you must include your licence number in adverts for the accommodation.

If your application is refused

The council can only refuse your application if they have a good reason.

They should explain why and give you an opportunity to amend your application.

Appealing against the council's decision

You can appeal against a refusal at the sheriff court. You must appeal within 28 days of the council’s decision.

You cannot reapply for one year, unless your circumstances materially change.

Transferring a licence

You can apply to transfer your licence to another person. For example, if you sell your accommodation and the new owner plans to continue to offer short-term lets.

Contact the council to do this.

More information on applying for a licence

You can get more guidance on applying for a licence on gov.scot.

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