Short term lets - Apply for a licence

Since 1 October 2022, all new hosts must have a licence before taking bookings or receiving guests.

You must have a short-term let licence if you let out accommodation such as:

a room in your home
a holiday cottage
a guest house or B&B
unconventional accommodation (for example, pods or yurts)

This applies to all hosts and operators unless your property is specifically exempt under the legislation.

Read the Scottish Government’s guidance on exemptions

Before you apply, make sure you read all the guidance available.

Reporting a breach of licence conditions (short term let property)

We cannot consider complaints in relation to the quality of a guests stay, or specific contractual matters between the guest and the host/operator. This is outside the scope of the licensing scheme.

Reporting an unlicensed operator (short term let property)

This is a Police matter and should be reported using one of the methods below:

Non-emergencies - Phone: 101

Crimestoppers (anonymous) - Phone: 0800 555 111

Alternatively, a complaint can be submitted via the Police Scotland contact us form.

Licence application enquiries

Email: stl@highland.gov.uk