Each planning application will be determined on its individual planning merits in line with local development plan and policies unless there are material planning considerations that would justify a departure from the development plan. In a control area it is a mandatory condition of licence that planning permission has been obtained, or an application is in process. Within a control area, the change of use of a dwellinghouse, which is not a hosts only or principal home, to provide short-term lets will always require planning permission. Local authorities have been given powers to designate control areas, in order to manage high concentrations of short-term lets. Further information on the types of licence, exclusions and how to apply can be found here: Mygov Guidance for Operators Control areas

Hosts can use this tool to check whether or not they need a licence, and which type of licence they require.Īpplications for a short-term let licence are made to the local authority in which premises are located. This includes holiday cottages, B&Bs, guest houses, rooms within a home and unconventional accommodation such as pods and yurts. The short-term lets licensing scheme is mandatory for all short-term let accommodation across Scotland. 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.įurther information on the licensing scheme, control areas, and the background to the development of these regulatory proposals can be found in the sections below. On 1 March 2023 the Scottish Parliament approved this six-month extension. 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 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. New hosts are required to apply for a short-term let licence before accepting bookings or receiving guests. The law around short-term lets changed on 1 October 2022.

Air and band b