Council Licensing Guide · Scotland

How Much Does a Short-Term Let Licence Cost in Argyll and Bute Council?

Application fees in Argyll and Bute Council run £285.30–£1,426.60, plus the safety certificates every Scottish short-term let needs. Confirm current fees on the official council page.

Licence valid 3 years Mandatory since Oct 2023

Licence fees

Argyll and Bute Council Fees

Fee band Application Renewal
Up to 4 guests - Home Sharing / Home Letting (3-year) £285.30 £285.30
Up to 4 guests - Secondary Letting (3-year) £398.95 £398.95
5 to 8 guests - Home Sharing / Home Letting (3-year) £398.95 £398.95
5 to 8 guests - Secondary Letting (3-year) £570.60 £570.60
9 to 12 guests - Home Sharing / Home Letting (3-year) £627.40 £627.40
9 to 12 guests - Secondary Letting (3-year) £855.95 £855.95
13 to 20 guests - Home Sharing / Home Letting (3-year) £799.15 £799.15
13 to 20 guests - Secondary Letting (3-year) £1,141.30 £1,141.30
21+ guests - Home Sharing / Home Letting (3-year) £1,027.65 £1,027.65
21+ guests - Secondary Letting (3-year) £1,426.60 £1,426.60

Fees are banded by property/guest capacity (counting children under 10) and by letting type: Home Sharing, Home Letting, and Secondary Letting. Each fee covers the full 3-year licence period (not per year). Home Sharing and Home Letting share the same fee scale; Secondary Letting is charged at a higher rate. Renewal is charged at the same banded rate as a new application. Additional fees: transfer of licence 97.20 GBP; variation of licence 97.20 GBP. Council benchmarking equates the smallest band to roughly 95 GBP/year for a small B&B (under 4 guests) and 190 GBP/year for a self-catering property for 6 (i.e. 285.30 and 570.60 over 3 years).

No separate planning permission needed

Argyll and Bute has NOT designated a short-term let control area. The council's official planning advice states: "There are no Short-Term Let Control Areas currently designated or proposed within Argyll and Bute." In late 2023/2024 the council consulted on and proposed possible control areas covering the islands (Mull and Iona, Coll and Tiree, Islay, Jura and Colonsay) and Lorn and the Inner Isles, but these have not been formally designated or implemented. Because no control area is in force, planning permission is not required to be shown to obtain a licence anywhere in the council area. However, outside a control area the operator remains responsible for holding any planning permission that is required, and the Planning Authority decides case-by-case whether a use is a material change of use (a flat in a multi-unit urban building is more likely to need permission than a detached rural house let on a single-household basis). If a control area were later designated, secondary letting within it would "always be material and therefore require planning permission."

Before you apply

Documents You'll Need

  • Completed short-term let licence application form
  • Floor plan of the premises
  • Site/location plan showing the property
  • Fire safety checklist / fire risk assessment
  • Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) dated within the last 10 years (some exceptions for guest houses, B&Bs and certain holiday parks)
  • Electrical safety certification (EICR) confirming the electrical system is safe
  • Legionella / water safety risk assessment for hot and cold water systems
  • Gas safety certificate (where there is a gas supply)
  • PAT / appliance safety confirmation for portable electrical appliances
  • Evidence of adequate insurance (public liability)
  • Declaration of consent from the owner(s) of the property where the applicant is not the owner
  • Private water supply registration number (if on a private water supply)
  • Food business registration (if meals or home baking are provided)
  • Spa/hot tub self-assessment (if a spa pool or hot tub is provided)
  • Public notice displayed at the premises for 21 days, plus a certificate of compliance once removed

Safety certificates

Certificates Required

Your Argyll and Bute Council licence application must be backed by current safety certificates. These are jobs for a certified assessor, and getting them booked early is the most common thing that holds an application up.

ReferralFree. We'll pass your details to a local certified assessor who covers your area.

Get your licence certificates sorted

A short-term let licence in Argyll and Bute Council needs a set of safety certificates. Tell us about your property and we'll connect you with a local certified assessor for a no-obligation quote.

EPC (within 10 years)Electrical safety certificate (EICR)Gas safety certificate (if gas)PAT / appliance safetyLegionella / water safety risk assessmentFire safety checklist / risk assessmentPublic liability insurance

No obligation. Your details go only to a local assessor covering Argyll and Bute Council.

Local conditions

Key Rules in Argyll and Bute Council

  • Every short-term let in Argyll and Bute must hold a licence since 1 October 2023; operating without one is a criminal offence.
  • No control area is currently designated, but proposals covering the islands and Lorn were consulted on in 2023/24 - check current status before relying on this.
  • Fees are banded by guest capacity (children under 10 count) and by letting type, with Secondary Letting charged more than Home Sharing/Home Letting.
  • Each fee covers the full 3-year licence period, not per year.
  • A public notice must be displayed at the property for 21 days and a certificate of compliance submitted after it is removed.
  • Renewal applications should be submitted around 2 months before the current licence expires.
  • You do not need to prove planning permission to get the licence, but you are responsible for holding any permission the Planning Authority determines is required.

Apply through Argyll and Bute Council

Applications are made directly to the council. This guide is a summary — always check the official page for the current fee and conditions.

Typical processing time: 13-16 weeks realistic for a straightforward complete application; statutory maximum is 9 months (12 months for pre-existing hosts)

Official council licensing page

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a short-term let licence cost in Argyll and Bute?
Fees are banded by guest capacity and letting type and cover a 3-year period. The smallest band (up to 4 guests, home sharing or home letting) is 285.30 GBP; the equivalent secondary letting band is 398.95 GBP. A self-catering property for 5 to 8 guests (secondary letting) is 570.60 GBP. Larger properties rise through 627.40, 855.95, 799.15 and 1,141.30 GBP up to 1,426.60 GBP for secondary letting of 21+ guests. The council describes this as roughly 95 GBP a year for a small B&B and 190 GBP a year for a self-catering property for 6.
Do I need planning permission as well as a licence?
There is currently no designated short-term let control area in Argyll and Bute, so you do not have to prove planning permission to obtain the licence. However, it remains your responsibility to hold any planning permission that is required. The Planning Authority decides case-by-case whether your use is a material change of use - a flat in a multi-unit urban building is more likely to need permission than a detached rural house let on a single-household basis. Note the council consulted on possible control areas for the islands and Lorn in 2023/24, so check the current position.
What documents and certificates do I need to supply?
You will need a floor plan and site plan, a fire safety checklist, an EPC dated within the last 10 years, electrical safety certification (EICR), a legionella/water safety risk assessment, a gas safety certificate if there is gas, PAT/appliance safety, evidence of public liability insurance, and owner's consent if you are not the owner. Extras apply in some cases: private water supply registration, food business registration if you provide meals, and a spa pool self-assessment if there is a hot tub.
How long does the licence last and when do I renew?
Licences are normally granted for three years. You should submit your renewal application around two months before your current licence expires so there is no gap in cover.
How long does it take to get a licence?
For a straightforward, complete application allow roughly 3 to 4 months. By law the council has up to 9 months to determine an application (12 months for hosts who were already operating before the scheme started). Delays are usually caused by missing certificates or an incomplete application.
How is my fee band decided?
It is based on the maximum number of guests the property can accommodate, counting children under 10, and on the type of let. Home Sharing and Home Letting are charged on one scale; Secondary Letting (letting a property that is not your own home) is charged at a higher rate in each capacity band.

Short-Term Let Licences in Other Councils

The Highland Council Licence cost & rules Perth and Kinross Council Licence cost & rules The City of Edinburgh Council Licence cost & rules Aberdeen City Council Licence cost & rules Dundee City Council Licence cost & rules Aberdeenshire Council Licence cost & rules

See all Scottish council STL licence guides →

Council data last reviewed 2026-07. Fees and conditions are set by Argyll and Bute Council and can change — always confirm on the official council page before applying. This page is general information, not legal advice.