Short term lets (licensing)

The Scottish Government passed the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short term Lets) Order 2022 on 19 January 2022. This introduced a licensing scheme for short term lets which started on 01 October 2022.

The purpose of the short term lets licensing scheme is to:

  • Ensure all short term lets are safe.
  • Facilitate licensing authorities in knowing and understanding what is happening in their area.
  • Assist in complaints and address issues faced by neighbours effectively.

There are 4 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.

Key dates

  • 01 October 2022 – New hosts must not operate without a licence from this date.
  • 01 October 2023 – All existing hosts and operators are required to have made an application to Falkirk Council.
  • 01 January 2025 – All short term lets are required to be licensed.

Do I need a licence?

To check whether your property should be licenced, please read the definition of short term let in the legislation.

The definition refers to "Excluded Accommodation and Tenancies" and a list of those can be found on legislation.gov.uk.

Further information and guidance for hosts and operators can be found on the Scottish Government website.

Do I need planning permission?

Further information on planning permission for short term lets can be found on our Short term lets (planning) page.

Applications

Applications can be submitted from 01 October 2022.

This application pack includes the application form, checklists, and the mandatory licence conditions.

Short Term Let application pack
DOCX file, 117.9 KB

If you are a current operator, we will check your application and send you a temporary licence number to enable you to continue operating.

If you propose to start a new short term lets business after 01 October 2022, you can still submit an application however you will not be able to operate until your licence is granted.

If you would like further information regarding short term lets licensing scheme, please contact us:

Scottish Government guidance

Public register of applications

Our public register of short term lets is available for download.

Short term lets public register
XLSX file, 37 KB, Updated: 03 December 2024

Short term lets policy

Short Term Lets Policy
DOCX file, 203.1 KB