Scotland property
Edinburgh Short-Term Let Licence: A Property Owner’s Checklist
Before you advertise a short let in Edinburgh, check licensing and planning. You may need both approvals.
Licensing comes before hosting
Edinburgh owners need to deal with two separate questions before welcoming guests: does the property need a short-term let licence, and is planning permission required? Scotland's licensing scheme is mandatory and the council sets local conditions. The answers depend on the property and how it is used.
Edinburgh also has a short-term let control area. For some entire-home short lets that are not the owner's principal residence, planning permission can be required as well as a licence. Planning and licensing are separate decisions, so one approval should never be assumed to cover both.
A checklist before the first guest
Start by identifying your precise accommodation type and intended use. The steps for home sharing can differ from those for a separate flat operated as a short let.
- Check the City of Edinburgh Council's current licence category and application requirements.
- Determine whether planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness may be needed for the property.
- Prepare the safety documentation and operating information specified by the relevant authority.
- Review building, lease, mortgage and insurance requirements.
- Put guest instructions, key access, contact details and a reliable cleaning schedule in place.
Operational matters that deserve attention
Good housekeeping matters, but owners should also plan for noise, waste, neighbour communication, inventory condition, lost keys and guest complaints. These issues can affect the wider building and the viability of the arrangement.
Make licence conditions visible to whoever handles bookings and guest communications. Review them before any material change in the operation. Maintain a dated record of inspections, maintenance and relevant correspondence.
This is a general overview, not an assessment of any property's eligibility. Confirm the latest requirements with Edinburgh Council and Scottish Government guidance.
Sources and further reading
The following official sources offer current guidance. Always verify the rules for the property's location and circumstances.
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