- Support
- Short Term Let Licensing Information
Short Term Let Licensing Information
On 19th January 2022, the Scottish Government passed the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Order 2022. The council then 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
We are working hard to process applications as quickly as possible, but due to a very high volume of applications being submitted there are significant delays in our service.
You can check if your application has been received or processed by following the link to the Public Register on dedicated Fife Council web page. To quickly search for your property follow the below steps on the spreadsheet:
- Press Ctrl+F within the spreadsheet
- Enter address or postcode within the pop up box
- click 'Find'
- This will highlight the cell you have searched
We ask that applicants remain patient and wait for further communication from us in relation to validating applications and issuing licences.
Submit your Certificate of Compliance
The Certificate of Compliance is required before a licence can be issued. This declares the Public Notice has been displayed for 21 days. You can use the template Short-term Let Certificate of Compliance (fife.gov.uk) Please ensure you submit as soon as possible to prevent delay in your application.
If you have outstanding or renewal certificates since submitting your application, please send them to STL Licencing Team - shorttermlets@fife.gov.uk Failure to supply these may delay your application.
Hosts are reminded that once you receive your temporary and then full licence number any online property listings must be updated with licence number, maximum occupancy and where appropriate EPC rating.
To add a FREE listing to our Welcome to Fife website click here . If you already have a listing and are not sure how to update the information click here .
Contact Details \ Help and Support
Short Term Let Enquiries
Email: shorttermlets@fife.gov.uk
Please visit our website: Short term lets | Fife Council
Address: STL Licensing, Housing Service (3rd Floor), Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes, KY7 5LT
Independent Facebook Group: Fife Airbnb & STL Click here to join
Planning Enquiries
For any planning enquiries please contact Planning fife.devplan@fife.gov.uk
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