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
Apply for a licence
From 1st October 2022, new hosts and operators cannot accept bookings until they have obtained a licence.
We have produced an STL Application Help Sheet with the information required to complete the online application form.
You should include/attach:
- Annual gas certificate (for premises with a gas supply)
- Electrical Installation Condition Report
- Portable Appliance Testing Report
Also, there are additional certificates you should have at hand in order 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
Please use the Apply for a Short-term Lets Licence button below to apply.
Public Notice - Notifying Residents and Neighbours
When an application is made for a licence, it is a duty for the applicants to display a Public Notice at or near the premise for 21 days. This is not required for a Temporary Licence or Exemption. A template is available below.
Certificate of Compliance
You must confirm the Public Notice has been displayed for 21 days with a Certificate of Compliance. Please return the Certificate of Compliance when the public notice period ends and within 7 days of the Public Notice expiring. This is not required for a Temporary Licence or Exemption. A template is available below.
Short-term Let Temporary Exemptions - Women’s Golf Open
You need a Short-term Let Temporary Exemption to let a property lawfully for National Events. We are currently accepting applications for a Temporary STL Exemption for the Women’s Golf Open in St Andrews. These applications will be accepted Fife wide.
STL Temporary Exemptions allow hosts and operators to operate as a STL for 6 continuous weeks only within a 12-month period.
The closing date for Temporary Exemption applications is 9th June 2024:
- Applications received after this date will not be accepted.
- Application received without the required certificates will not be accepted.
- Online applications accepted only.
- Hosts can only operate when a Temporary Exemption has been granted.
All Temporary Exemptions must comply with both Mandatory Conditions and Additional Conditions.
You must also make sure you provide all the necessary certificates are provided with the application, as listed above.
The Temporary Exemption Fee to be submitted with your application is:
- £190: 1 to 10 occupants
- £195: 11 or more occupants
If you wish to operate for more than 6 continuous weeks, a full 3-year STL Licence is required. The Council have up to 9 months to determine a full licence application.
To apply for a Temporary Exemption, Temporary licence, Full licence, or Renewal licence, click on the link below.
Consultation survey - your views matter
Our online consultation survey is now closed. Thank you to everyone who took part and gave us their views on which discretionary elements of the legislation should be included to reflect the Fife context. This will help shape the way we deliver the scheme. You can find the consultation survey responses here, or under Fife Council publications at the bottom of the page.
Short-term Lets Public Register
The Public Register of applications shows a summary of current licences and applications.
Objections and Representations
Representations about the application may be made by any member of the public. Representations must:
- be in writing
- specify the grounds of the objection and / or the nature of the representation
- set out the name and address of the person making it
- must be signed by the person, or on their behalf; and
- be made within 28 days of public notice of the application being given
Copies of any representations will be shared with the applicant. Representations made to the Licencing Authority after 28 days but before a final decision is taken on the application, may be still be considered. We must be satisfied that it was reasonable for the representation to have been made after the deadline.
Representations should be sent by post or email to Fife Council:
- Post: Short-term Lets, Housing Services, Fife House (3rd Floor), Glenrothes, KY7 5LT
- Email: shorttermlets@fife.gov.uk
Privacy Notice
The information provided by you will be used by Fife Council to process your application and keep you informed of any updates for your application or licence. Further information on how your information is used can be found on our Housing privacy notice.
Fife Council publications
- Short-term Let factsheet and FAQs
- Short-term Let Policy
- Short-term Let PowerPoint presentation - Application help
- Short-term Let Fife Consultation responses June 2022 (PowerPoint)
- Scottish Government letter for guesthouses
- Planning Guidance
- Additional Conditions
- Mandatory Conditions
- Risk Assessment Guidance
- Public Notice
- Certificate of Compliance
- Fee Structure