Short Term Let Licensing

Licence Type
Short Term Let Licensing
Cost

Environmental Health Charge Sheet

What you need to supply

The documentation that follows must be uploaded and submitted with any application:

  • Floor/Layout plan – this must include:

    • Room usage and sizes

    • Any beds, including type (single, bunk, folding sofa)

    • location of any heat/smoke/carbon monoxide detectors of other fire systemsunique structural characteristics

    • any fires/wood burners

  • Scottish Fire and Rescue Checklist 

  • Annual gas certificate (for premises with a gas supply)

  • Electrical Installation Condition Report

  • Portable Appliance Testing Report

  • EPC Certificate (for premises which are dwellinghouses)

  • Buildings Insurance.

  • Public Liability Insurance.

Display of public notice

You are required to display a public notice for 21 days from the date a valid application form and relevant fee is submitted. The notice must be displayed at or near the accommodation from which activities are to be operated so it can be conveniently read by the public.  A template is available below.

Certificate of Compliance

You must confirm the Public Notice has been displayed for 21 days with a Certificate of Compliance. Please return the Certificate of Compliance when the public notice period ends and within 7 days of the Public Notice expiring. This is not required for a Temporary Licence or Exemption. A template is available below.

Other relevant documents:

Additional information

What are the legal requirements to operate a short-term let in Scotland?

You must obtain a licence before you take bookings or receive guests.

Applicable legislation:

If you’re a prospective host, you should factor in processing times when you plan a new short-term let. While licensing authorities will decide as quickly as they can, it can take several months to process your application.

Operating without a short-term let licence is a criminal offence. You could get a fine of up to £2,500 and be banned from applying for a licence for a year. You cannot offer lets during this period.

You need a licence, even if you occasionally let out a spare room or sublet while you’re on holiday.

Short-term let licence types

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

Types of accommodation needing a licence

Hosts must have a licence per each separately bookable self-contained accommodation unit with its own kitchen, bathroom and access door. For further details please view:

Multi-unit licences can be issued for unconventional secondary lets, for example a group of yurts or lodges if they are within the same parcel of land.

View what types of accommodation need a licence opens in a new tab. 

Guidance

Shetland Islands Council Short Term Lets Policy

Scottish Government

Application pack

Apply for a licence

Online Application please review the Application Form Guidance
Please Note: When accessing the Form the “or, continue without an account” option can be used if you experience any difficulties in using your MyGovScot account.

Short Terms Let Register

Shetland Islands Council is required by law to publish a register of all Short Term Let Applications Received

Objections and Complaints

Objections to a short term let can be made as detailed in the Short Term Let Policy (section 8.7, page 12) 28 days from when the Public Notice was first displayed, our  Objection Form (DOCX) can be used.

If you have any queries please email stl@shetland.gov.uk. Please include the address of the premises in your email, so your query can be passed to the correct officer.

Further information contact