Short-term let licence
By law, all short-term let properties need a licence including:
- Secondary letting - letting a 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.
Apply for a licence
- Use the link to pay for your application first.
- 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
Apply for a material change to a short-term let licence
Or email shorttermlet@midlothian.gov.uk.
Licence renewal
If you apply to renew your short-term licence before it expires and provide all required information, you can continue operating until your current licence expires, or a decision is made on your renewal application - whichever is later.
A renewed licence takes effect from the date of decision to grant. If this is before the date your existing licence expires, any remaining time for that licence will end.
Late licence renewal
If you apply to renew your short-term licence after it has expired, your application will be treated as a new application.
You must not take bookings or accept paying guests until your application is considered and a licence has been issued.
Operating without a valid licence is a criminal offence and may result in:
- a fine of up to £2500, and/or
- a one-year ban from applying for a licence.
Delays caused by logistical issues, such as incomplete paperwork, will not be accepted as a valid reason for late renewal.
On good grounds being shown, Midlothian Council may deem a valid application made within 28 days of previous licence expiry to be considered as a renewal.
This will be assessed on an individual case basis and is intended to consider unforeseen, unavoidable major life events that caused your submission to be late.
Fees - from 1 April 2026
| Maximum number of bedrooms/guests |
Fee | Fee to consider a material change or licence transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 4 bedrooms / 8 guests | £541 | £315 |
| 5–8 bedrooms / 16 guests | £609 | £368 |
| 8–12 bedrooms / 16–24 guests | £767 | £452 |
| Greater than 12 bedrooms / 24 guests (per room or guest) | £61 | £37 |
Variation of a short term let licence £89
| Maximum number of bedrooms/guests |
Fee | Fee to consider a material change or licence transfer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom / 3 guests | £247 | £116 |
| 2–3 bedrooms / 9 guests | £290 | £152 |
| 4 bedrooms / 9 guests | £383 | £221 |
| Greater than 4 bedrooms / 9 guests (per room or guest) | £61 | £37 |
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Duplicate licence | £37 |
| True copy of any entry on public register | £110 |
| Visits to premises where visit is necessary because of failure of host or operator (price per hour) | £127 |
Short-term let licence register
View the short-term licence register for details of properties with a licence.
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