Definition of a short term let

A short-term let is defined in the legislation as the use of residential accommodation provided by a host during business to a guest, where all of the following criteria are met:

• The guest does not use the accommodation as their only or principal home
• The short-term let is entered into for commercial consideration
• The guest is not
  • an immediate family member of the host
  • sharing the accommodation with the host for the principal purpose of advancing the guests education as part of an arrangement made or approved by a school, college or further higher education instituation
  • an owner or part owner of the accommodation
• The accommodation is not provided for the principal purpose of facilitating the provision of work or services by the guest to the host or to another member of the hosts household
• The accommodation is not excluded accommodation
• The short-term let does not constitute an excluded tenancy

Further details can be obtained on the Scottish Government's guidance for hosts operators page.