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Short-term Lets Licence

On 19th January 2022, the Scottish Government passed the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Order 2022. This new legislation means Fife Council has introduced a Short-term Let Licencing Scheme from 1st October 2022. We have developed publications to provide information and guidance to hosts and operators.

Short-term Let Operation From 1st October 2022

New hosts and operators need to have a licence to operate lawfully. This means that if you were not using your premises to provide short-term lets before 1st October 2022, you can advertise but not take bookings or receive guests until you have obtained a licence.

Existing hosts and operators who operated before 1st October 2022 had until 1st October 2023 to apply for a licence.  After 1st October 2023, existing hosts can only continue to operate if they have:

  • Submitted an application for a licence before 1st October 2023 that has not yet been determined, or
  • Been granted a short-term let licence

Timescale to Determine Applications

  • Existing Hosts/Operators - up to 12 months
  • New Hosts/Operators - up to 9 months

Please note, existing hosts and operators that did not apply for a licence before 1st October 2023 will be considered as new applications. It is unlawful for such hosts to operate until the licence application is determined.

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

Apply for a Licence

From 1st October 2022, new hosts and operators cannot accept bookings until they have obtained a licence.

We have produced an STL Application Help Sheet with the information required to complete the online application form.

You should include/attach:

  • Annual gas certificate (for premises with a gas supply)
  • Electrical Installation Condition Report
  • Portable Appliance Testing Report

Also, there are additional certificates you should have at hand in order to submit expiry dates where requested.

You should provide expiry dates for:

  • EPC Certificate (for premises which are dwellinghouses)
  • Buildings Insurance.
  • Public Liability Insurance.
  • Legionella Risk Assessment

Alternatively, you can request a paper application by emailing shorttermlets@fife.gov.uk

Licence Determination

  • Existing Hosts (Applying before 1st October 2023)

The Council have up to 12 months to determine these applications, beginning with the date on which the valid application was made. Existing hosts who make an application before 1st October 2023 can continue operating while their application is being determined.

  • New Hosts

The Council have up to 9 months from the date on which the valid application was made to consider and determine each valid application.

Consultation survey - Your Views Matter

Our online consultation survey is now closed. Thank you to everyone who took part and gave us their views on which discretionary elements of the legislation should be included to reflect the Fife context. This will help shape the way we deliver the scheme. You can find the consultation survey responses here, or under Fife Council publications at the bottom of the page.

Short-term Let Policy

Fife Council Short-term Let Licencing Scheme received formal approval from the Cabinet on 22nd September 2022.

Short-term Lets Public Register

The Public Register of applications shows a summary of current licences and applications.

Fife Council publications

Useful links