Short-term lets licence

There are four types of short-term let licences:

• secondary letting – a short-term let involving the letting of property where you do not normally live
• home letting – using all or part of your home for short-term lets whilst you are absent
• home sharing – using all or part of your own home for short-term lets whilst you are there
• home letting and home sharing – hosts principal home

Download the short-term lets licensing policy statement (PDF 649Kb)

Download the short-term lets licensing privacy notice (PDF 105Kb)

Before lodging an application please ensure:

• you have read the licensing policy statement and application guidance
• completed the fire safety checklist

Forms and guidance are listed below:

• Short-term lets licence: Planning guidance
• Short-term lets licence: Application form (PDF 395Kb)
• Short-term lets licence: Application guidance notes (PDF 577Kb)
• Short-term lets licence: Variation application form (PDF 53Kb)
• Short-term lets licence: Public notice (PDF 453Kb)
• Short-term lets licence: Certificate of compliance (PDF 462Kb)
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's fire safety checklist (PDF 143Kb)
• Scottish Government: Fire safety - existing premises with sleeping accommodation guidance
• Spa Pool Guidance - Holiday Lets (PDF 1.16Mb) 
• Spa Pool Monitoring Records - Holiday Lets (PDF 714Kb) 
• Spa Pool Self Assessment - Holiday Lets (PDF 709Kb)
• Spa Pool Requirements for Application - Holiday Lets (PDF 466Kb)

Your application form and fire safety checklist should be sent to  licensing@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.

Licence application fees are listed in the tables below:

Applicants should note that where their short-term let licence application has been refused by the Licensing Authority, they do have a right of appeal under the 1982 Act.

An appeal should be made to the Sheriff Court within 28 days from the date of the refusal.

Please note that the Licensing Authority cannot provide you with any advice in relation to an appeal.

All applicants for a short-term let licence will be required to display a statutory site notice.

This site notice will advise the public of the short-term let licence application. The site notice must be displayed at or near the premises where it can be easily read, for 21 consecutive days.

The last date for any members of the public to submit an objection or representation to the application will be detailed on the site notice, as well as where and how to submit it to the Licensing Authority.

In addition, for every application received the Licensing Authority will consult with:

• Police Scotland
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
• East Ayrshire Council services:
  • Planning
  • Building Standards
  • Environmental Health
  • Cleaner Communities
  • Anti-Social Behaviour Team

These consultees will also be able to submit an objection or representation to the application.

Please note we only deal with complaints where a short-term let is licensed. Unlicensed short-term let complaints should be directed to Police Scotland.

A complaint must be relevant to matters that we can take into consideration. Frivolous or vexatious complaints will not be considered.

We can consider matters relating to:

• the suitability of the licence holder
• threats to public safety or public order
• or whether a condition of the licence has been contravened

These issues would include a host/operator:

• exceeding the number of people staying at the premises
• serious disturbance or antisocial behaviour
• or concerns about the maintenance and safety of the premises

These types of complaints can be directed to licensing@east-ayrshire.gov.uk

Complaints from guests

In the first instance, the Licensing Authority would expect any concerns from guests to be raised with the host or operator.

Where this cannot be resolved they should contact the Licensing Authority be emailing licensing@east-ayrshire.gov.uk. The email should state the licensed short-term let address and the concerns around the operation of the licence.

Please note that we cannot consider complaints in relation to the quality of a guest’s stay or specific contractual matters between the guest and the host/operator as this is outside the scope of the licensing scheme.

Complaints from neighbours

In the first instance, the Licensing Authority would expect concerns from neighbours to be raised with the host or operator.

Where this cannot be resolved they should contact the Licensing Authority be emailing licensing@east-ayrshire.gov.uk. The email should state the licensed short-term let address and the concerns around the operation of the licence.