Short-Term Lets 2024

Overview

Since the introduction of a licensing scheme for short-term lets in October 2022, the Council has received over 4,000 applications. The Regulatory Committee agreed to review the short-term lets licensing policy in Edinburgh.

As a result of the Civic Government Scotland Act 1982 (Licensing of Short Term Lets) Order 2022 being passed by the Scottish Parliament, local authorities in Scotland were required to introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for properties operating as short-term lets. The licensing scheme opened on 1 October 2022, with all short-term lets required to be licensed by January 2025.

As part of the licensing scheme, the Council has published a licensing policy for short-term lets in the city. These properties have to meet a minimum safety standard. The Council also added additional conditions to licences to respond to local circumstances.

Four types of licence can be issued for short-term let accommodation. These are:

1. Home sharing;
2. Home letting;
3. Home sharing and home letting; or
4. Secondary letting

Home sharing and home letting happen in a host or operator’s main home, and secondary letting is where the property is not the host or operator’s main home. The licence types are defined in legislation and the Council cannot exempt certain types of STL accommodation from the requirement to obtain a licence.

Why your views matter

After nearly two years of the scheme being operational, we want to know how the licensing scheme is working for businesses and residents.

Need a different language or format

Please email the Interpretation and Translation Service at its@edinburgh.gov.uk quoting reference 24-1107.