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.
- Existing Hosts and Operators:
Existing hosts that have been trading on or before 30 September 2022 may continue to accept bookings after 1st October 2022. On 1st March 2023, the Scottish Parliament approved a six-month extension for applications. Existing hosts must apply for a licence before 1st October 2023 (previously 1st April 2023), and can continue operating while their application is being determined.
- New Hosts and Operators:
From 1st October 2022, new hosts and operators cannot accept bookings until they have obtained a licence. After this date, letting agencies and platforms should not allow a booking to be made by a new host/operator until a licence number can be provided.
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 by 30th September 2023
If you are an existing short-term let host and wish to continue operating a short-term let business, then please apply for a Short-term Lets (STL) Licence before 30th September 2023. This will allow you to continue operating until your licence is determined.
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
- Short-term Let factsheet and FAQs
- Short-term Let Policy
- Short-term Let PowerPoint presentation - Application help
- Short-term Let Fife Consultation responses June 2022 (PowerPoint)
- Scottish Government letter for guesthouses
- Planning Guidance
- Additional Conditions
- Mandatory Conditions
- Risk Assessment Guidance
- Public Notice
- Certificate of Compliance
- Fee Structure
Useful links
- Welcome to Fife homepage
- Scottish Government guidance for hosts and operators
- Scottish Government supplementary guidance for licensing authorities, letting agencies, and platforms
- Scottish Government's Short-term Lets Campaign
- Scottish Government advice on Enforcement: Short-term Lets
- Advice on fire and smoke alarms