About short term lets
As a result of the Civic Government Scotland Act 1982 (Licensing of Short Term Lets) Order 2022 being passed by the Scottish Parliament, local authorities in Scotland have introduced a licensing scheme for properties operating as short term lets.
The licensing scheme started on 1 October 2022.
The Scottish Government extended the deadline for existing hosts and operators to apply for a licence from 1 April 2023 to 1 October 2023, with all short term let properties requiring to be licenced by 1 July 2024.
From 1 October 2022, any new hosts/operators cannot operate a short term let before their licence application has been 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
Property standards
As part of the scheme, the Council must publish a licensing policy for short term lets in the area. Properties must conform to a minimum safety standard. Standards will be detailed throughout the application process and they are also available online through the Scottish Government’s website.
Planning permission
Planning permission may be required before submitting a short term let application. Please see the Planning Guidance note for further information. If you have any planning related queries, please complete the Planning Supporting Information Checklist and email along with your query to PI@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
Please ensure that you have checked to see if your property requires planning permission before applying for a short term let licence.
Apply for a short term let licence
Please read the application guidance before applying for a short term let licence.
If you require a short term let licence, please complete the online application form below:
Fees
Fees and charges from 1 October 2022 for short term lets:
| Guest Capacity | Home sharing and/ or Home Letting Licence | Secondary Letting Licence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - 2 | £420 | £420 |
| 3 - 4 | £630 | £630 |
| 5 - 6 | £840 | £840 |
| 7 - 8 | £1120 | £1120 |
| 9 - 12 | £1490 | £1490 |
| 13+ | £2980 | £2980 |
Temporary licences
Applications for temporary licences will not be granted by Aberdeen City Council under any circumstance. This will be reviewed on an annual basis in line with the policy review.
Temporary exemptions
Applications for temporary exemptions will not be granted by Aberdeen City Council under any circumstance. This will be reviewed on an annual basis in line with the policy review.
Objection process
Objections to a current application must be received in writing within 28 days of a public notice being displayed by the applicant outside a property. Email objections can be sent to ShortTermLets@aberdeencity.gov.uk stating the reason for objection. The objection must be signed. All applications that receive an objection must be heard at the Council’s Licensing Committee.
Licence conditions
Mandatory conditions will be attached to every licence and detail the licence holder(s) responsibilities. Aberdeen City Council has approved two additional licence conditions that will be applied to every short term let licence alongside the mandatory conditions.
Waste management
Short term lets are classified as a commercial use. Bin collection services are not covered by business rates. Applicants will need to secure a contract with a licensed waste contractor to make arrangements for collection and disposal. You can find more information and advice on our business waste page.
Complaints
Complaints regarding unlicensed short term lets should be made through the Council’s online reporting form or by email to shorttermlets@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
Antisocial behaviour complaints should be directed to the Community Safety Team by phoning 0800 0510434 or by email to CST@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
Short term lets policy
Our policy sets out how we will exercise our functions under the relevant legislation in respect of the licensing of short term lets.
The policy is designed to provide information on the Council’s general approach to the making of licensing decisions in respect of short term lets and the policy will ensure that applications are administered in an open, transparent, and consistent manner.
Read the short term let policy.
Public register of short term lets
The Council is legally required to maintain a public register of short term let licence applications and granted short term let licences.
RAAC
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight construction material that was used in construction between the 1950s and 1990s. It was used mostly in flat roofing, but also in some pitched roofs, floors and walls. Despite its name, it is very different to traditional concrete although it looks similar. It is aerated, or ‘bubbly’, and it has now been found to be less durable than traditional concrete.
For new Short Term Let Licence applications and renewals involving properties with confirmed or suspected RAAC, it is the property owner’s responsibility to provide a structural engineer’s report. This report must be prepared by a Chartered Structural Engineer (IStructE) or a similarly qualified professional. Any assessment conducted by a professional other than an IStructE engineer must strictly follow the IStructE guidance.
The structural engineer’s report must confirm:
Whether the property is safe and fit for habitation in accordance with the Repairing Standard under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.
Any remedial works required for the property to meet safety standards. No application will proceed unless all remedial works have been completed and certified as compliant by the suitably qualified structural engineer.
Further information on RAAC is available via our website.
Related guidance and further information
Visit Scotland have published guidance for hosts and operators to help them get ready for the licensing scheme.
Find out more about the legislation and read the Scottish Government guidance for hosts and operators.
Read the Scottish Government guidance for Licensing Authorities, Letting Agents and Platforms
Find out more about the legislation in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Order 2022
Contact
If you have any queries regarding short term lets within Aberdeen City, please contact shorttermlets@aberdeencity.gov.uk