Short Term Let Licensing Information

You need a short-term let (STL) licence if you want to rent out all or part of a home you own. You need to have this licence in place before you take bookings or receive guests.

It can take up to 9 months to process your application. You should bear this in mind when planning a new short-term let.

A full licence is usually granted for up to 3 years. You need to apply for a renewal before your previous licence expires to continue operating lawfully.

It’s a criminal offence to operate a short-term let without a licence. You can be fined up to £2,500 and banned from applying for a licence for one year. During this time, you cannot offer lets while you are banned.

You can read more about the legislation in our short-term let policy.

The Scottish Government's short-term lets information may also help.

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

You can apply for the following licences:

First full licence

This licence is usually granted for up to 3 years. You need one if you want to rent out all or part of your home. The licence must be in place before you take bookings or receive guests.

Renewed full licence

The licence renewal is the responsibility of the Licence Holder(s). The application process for a renewal licence is the same as a new licence application.

Hosts and operators must apply for a renewal licence before the previous licence expires to continue operating. It is recommended applying at least 9 months before the previous expiry date as it can take up to 9 months to determine a licence.

If the previous licence lapses before a renewal application is made, then hosts/ operators must stop operating and taking bookings.

If the previous licence expires before a renewal application is determined, applicants can continue to use the premises to provide short-term lets until the renewal application is determined.

If a renewal licence is granted before the previous licence expires, it will become effective the day after the previous licence expiry date, and no days will be lost.

When submitting your application –

You should include/attach the following documentation and certificates:

Current Annual gas certificate (for premises with a gas supply)
If applicable, an annual certificate for premises heated with an alternative to natural gas supply (solid fuel e.g. stove, lpg and renewables
Current Electrical Installation Condition Report (all pages)
Portable Appliance Testing Report
Short Term Let Licence Fee – see fee structure on website

Also, there are additional certificates you should have at hand 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

Temporary licence

This is for a trial period of 6 weeks maximum. These can be extended if a full licence application is submitted. You must request this extension.

Temporary exemptions - Golf Open 2027

The Open will return to St Andrews in 2027, where this world class venue will set the stage for what is bound to be a thrilling week of major championship golf. With a global audience including players, partners and media, there is high demand for accommodation in the local area.

If you wish to let your property for the Golf Open:

You need a short-term let (STL) Licence or a STL Temporary Exemption. You can apply online from Fife Council. Application for a Temporary Exemption will be accepted from 15th June to 4th October 2026. If you hold a full STL Licence a temporary exemption is not required.
Full documentation as above will be required on application
Once your STL application is made to Fife Council, your property can be advertised for let. You can only operate and accept bookings when the STL licence is granted.

Short-term let licence | Fife Council

Provisional licence (construction and completion)

This licence is usually granted for up to 3 years. You can apply for a provisional licence if you’re building new accommodation to use as a short-term let. You must apply to change this to a full licence before you can take bookings or let it out. You must wait until the full licence is granted.

You can get a paper application form by emailing shorttermlets@fife.gov.uk

Check If You Need a Short Term Let Licence

Public Register

All STL properties who have applied for a licence can be found on the Public Register

To quickly search for a 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

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 .