Delay to short let licensing

The Scottish Government has announced that it will legislate in January 2023 to delay the introduction of short let licensing for existing operators by six months. Existing operators will have until 1 October 2023 to apply for a licence. This does not change the arrangements for brand new operators who are already required to obtain a licence before they can accept bookings and receive guests.

The government has stated that the extension is to recognise the wider economic circumstances of the cost of living crisis that is placing pressure on existing short-term let hosts and businesses.

For further information on short term letting see SAL’s guidance document here. (Members please log in to download member only resources. Not yet a member? Please join SAL for instant access.

At SAL we specialise in supporting landlords who offer long term lets to tenants who occupy their properties as a dwelling and we are only able to offer limited assistance to those operating short term/holiday lets. We strongly recommend that any members who have short term/holiday lets join the Association of Scotland’s Self Caterers to ensure that they are kept up to date with any changes affecting that sector and have access to resources to support their short term/holiday let business.