Short-term let licence

By law, all short-term let properties will need a licence by 1 July 2024. This is to ensure they are safe, and that those providing them are suitable to hold a licence.

The legislation is a response to community concerns about the impact of short-term letting, such as noise, antisocial behaviour, and on the supply of housing.

All new hosts who have not let their property before 1 October 2022 must have a short-term let licence before they begin to take paying guests.

Short-term let accommodation that requires a licence

• Secondary letting - letting of property where you do not normally live, e.g. a second home
• Home letting - letting out all or part of your own home whilst you are absent
• Home sharing - letting out all or part of your own home whilst you are there
• Home letting and home sharing.

Guidance

• Check short-term let guidance on gov.scot website
• Download Midlothian Council Short-term Lets Policy 2022 (PDF)
• Short-term lets fire safety checklist
• Legionnaires disease risk assessment

Key dates

Apply for a licence 

1. Use the link to pay for your application first.
2. After successful payment you will receive a receipt number and time to add to your application, and a link to the main application form.

Apply for a short-term let licence

or email shorttermlet@midlothian.gov.uk. 

Fees

Short-term let licence register

View the short-term licence register for details of properties with a licence.