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.

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

Key dates

Important dates
Date or deadline Outcome
1 October 2022 You can apply for a licence under the scheme. If you have been letting short-term before this date, you can continue while you wait for your licence. Otherwise you must wait until your licence is approved before you start.
1 April 2023 All existing short-term let operators must have applied for a licence.
1 July 2024 All short-term lets in Scotland must be licensed.

Apply for a licence 

Apply for a short-term let licence

or email shorttermlet@midlothian.gov.uk. 

Fees

Initial application or renewal - secondary letting
Maximum number of bedrooms/guests Fee  (£) Fee to consider a material change (£)
Up to 4 bedrooms / 8 guests 465 270
5 - 8 Bedrooms / 16 guests 525 315
More than 8 bedrooms / 16 guests 660 390
Initial application or renewal - home sharing/home letting
Maximum number of bedrooms/guests Fee  (£) Fee to consider a material change (£)
1 bedroom / 3 guests  210 100
2-3 Bedrooms / 9 guests  250 130
4 bedrooms / 9 guests  330 190

What happens next

When we receive your application, we will contact you to arrange payment of the appropriate fees. Fees must be paid in full before we can process your application.

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