Council Licensing Guide · Scotland

How Much Does a Short-Term Let Licence Cost in Scottish Borders Council?

Application fees in Scottish Borders Council run £417–£537, 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

Scottish Borders Council Fees

Fee band Application Renewal
1 to 3 people (guest capacity) £417 £417
4 to 6 people (guest capacity) £465 £465
7+ occupants (guest capacity) £537 £537
Variation of licence / change in circumstances £104 —
Duplicate licence £50 —

Scottish Borders Council charges one banded fee schedule based on guest capacity, covering the full 3-year licence period. The published page states these figures apply to both NEW and RENEWAL applications (no separate lower renewal rate published). There is no separate fee split by let type (home sharing / home letting / secondary letting / home letting and sharing) - the same bands apply to all four licence types. Additional fees: Variation of licence / change in circumstances = £104; Duplicate licence = £50. Enforcement/inspection costs following non-compliance or complaints are charged separately on a full-cost-recovery basis using the productive hourly rate for the officer grade involved (not a fixed fee).

No separate planning permission needed

Scottish Borders Council has explicitly stated it does not propose to designate any short-term let planning control area anywhere in the Borders. Its own FAQ states: "We don't propose to designate any short-term planning control areas within the Scottish Borders." This is reviewed periodically, so no additional planning permission is currently required for secondary letting anywhere in the council area purely because of STL control-area rules. Applicants only need to submit "planning permission evidence" if planning permission is separately applicable to their specific site for other reasons.

Before you apply

Documents You'll Need

  • Legionella (Legionnaires') risk assessment
  • Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Fire Safety Checklist
  • Fire safety risk assessment (with accompanying guidance)
  • Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) - minimum 5-year cycle
  • Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) report for moveable appliances accessible to guests
  • Buildings insurance valid for the duration of the licence
  • Public liability insurance - minimum £5 million cover per short-term let
  • Floor layout plan
  • Site plan
  • Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) - where applicable, must also appear in any listing/advert
  • Gas safety certificate (annual) - where applicable, i.e. gas present
  • Private water supply sample results - where applicable
  • Planning permission evidence - where applicable to the specific site
  • Existing host evidence - where relevant (e.g. established operators)
  • Certificate of Compliance confirming the 21-day site notice was displayed

Safety certificates

Certificates Required

Your Scottish Borders 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 Scottish Borders 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.

Gas safety certificate (annual, if gas present)Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR, minimum every 5 years)Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) reportEnergy Performance Certificate (EPC, where applicable)Legionella / water safety risk assessmentFire safety risk assessment plus Scottish Fire and Rescue Service checklistBuildings insurancePublic liability insurance (minimum £5 million)

No obligation. Your details go only to a local assessor covering Scottish Borders Council.

Local conditions

Key Rules in Scottish Borders Council

  • Every short-term let in Scottish Borders must hold a licence under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Order 2022 before accepting bookings or guests.
  • Four licence types recognised: secondary letting, home letting, home sharing, and home letting and sharing.
  • No short-term let control area is designated anywhere in Scottish Borders, so STL-specific planning permission is not an added requirement council-wide (position kept under regular review).
  • Fee bands are set purely by maximum guest capacity (1-3, 4-6, 7+), with no difference by let type.
  • Licences generally run for 3 years; the council can grant a shorter period at its discretion.
  • A separate licence is required for each individual premises - one licence does not cover multiple properties.
  • Licences cannot be transferred on sale of the property; a new owner must apply afresh.
  • Applicants must display a public site notice at/near the premises for 21 days from submission, but the statutory objection window is 28 days - the council flags this as a known discrepancy in the underlying Act.
  • Statutory determination period is up to 9 months from a complete application, for both new applications and renewals.
  • Operating without a licence is a criminal offence: fines up to £5,000 for operating unlicensed, up to £1,000 for breaching conditions, and up to £5,000 for false statements.
  • Refusal can be appealed to the Sheriff Court within 28 days of the refusal decision.
  • Material changes to the licence holder or property (including relevant convictions) must be notified to the council within 14 days.

Apply through Scottish Borders 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: Statutory maximum is 9 months (~39 weeks) from the date an application is deemed complete, applying to both new applications and renewals per the council's published FAQ. No shorter target/average is published, so treat 9 months as the legal backstop rather than a typical wait.

Official council licensing page

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a short-term let licence cost in Scottish Borders?
It is banded by maximum guest capacity for the full 3-year licence: £417 for 1-3 people, £465 for 4-6 people, and £537 for 7 or more occupants. The same bands apply to renewals, and there is no separate charge based on let type. A licence variation/change of circumstances costs £104 and a duplicate licence costs £50.
Do I need planning permission as well as a licence?
Not because of a control area - Scottish Borders Council has stated it does not propose to designate any short-term let planning control area, so STL control-area planning rules do not apply anywhere in the Borders. You may still need planning permission for other, unrelated reasons (e.g. if your specific site already required it), which is why 'planning permission evidence' is only requested where applicable.
What documents do I need to apply?
Before applying you must complete a Legionella risk assessment, a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service fire safety checklist, and a fire safety risk assessment. You then upload an EICR, a PAT report, buildings insurance, public liability insurance (minimum £5 million), a floor layout plan and a site plan, plus (where applicable) an EPC, gas safety certificate, private water supply results, and planning permission evidence. The council states it cannot process incomplete applications.
How long does the application take to process?
The council has up to 9 months from the date your application is deemed complete to determine it, and the same 9-month period applies to renewals. No shorter average processing time is published on the council's site.
How long does the licence last, and can I transfer it if I sell the property?
Licences are generally granted for 3 years, though the council can issue a shorter period at its discretion. Licences are not transferable - they are tied to the named licence holder and the property, so a buyer must apply for their own new licence.
What happens if I operate without a licence or breach conditions?
Operating a short-term let without a licence is a criminal offence carrying fines of up to £5,000; breaching licence conditions can bring fines of up to £1,000, and making false statements in an application up to £5,000. The council also takes a risk-based approach to inspections, informed by emergency service feedback and complaint patterns.

Short-Term Let Licences in Other Councils

The Highland Council Licence cost & rules Argyll and Bute 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

See all Scottish council STL licence guides →

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