Short-term let rules in Aberdeenshire (updated 29 Oct 2026)
Last checked: 6 official source pages for this council scanned automatically for changes on 2 Nov 2026What changed
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Dates we're watching for Aberdeenshire (1)
- 31 Mar 2027: current licence fees end
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Last checked 29 Oct 2026: no change logged for this council in our changes log. Get free alerts when it changes.
Licence needed (3-year licence, £364 to £1,006 by guest numbers and licence type). No control area. No visitor levy scheme proposed yet.
Do I need a short-term let licence in Aberdeenshire?
Yes. Every short-term let in Aberdeenshire needs a licence from the council before you take bookings or guests; a new 3-year licence costs £364 to £1,006 until 31 Mar 2027, depending on guest numbers and licence type, and renewing before expiry costs less (council fees and application). There is no control area, and no visitor levy scheme has been proposed yet. Compare fees on our Scotland licence fee finder or see the Scotland visitor levy map.
Licensing or registration
AppliesLicence needed (Scotland-wide). All short-term lets (secondary letting, home letting, home sharing) need a licence from the council before taking bookings or guests. Step-by-step licence guide and checklist. Apply or renew online through Aberdeenshire Council (questions: stl@aberdeenshire.gov.uk).
You need one licence per separately bookable self-contained unit; a group of yurts or lodges on the same land can get a multi-unit licence. The council says a garden cabin, a self-contained extension or a converted steading, barn or garage with its own access needs a secondary letting licence.
You must display a public notice outside the property; objections can be made within 28 days. Documents to send: EICR (within 5 years), PAT certificate and gas safety certificate (both within 12 months), EPC (secondary lets), and evidence of buildings insurance plus public or property owners liability cover of at least £2m.
The council will not process incomplete applications and has up to 9 months to decide. A renewal must be in before the expiry date, or you become a new host and pay the higher fee.
Control area / planning
None foundNo control area. mygov.scot lists only two in Scotland (all of Edinburgh, and Badenoch & Strathspey in Highland).
Source: source
Visitor levy
None foundNo scheme proposed yet. The council ran an initial survey from 24 Jun to 22 Jul 2025 (767 responses, 65% not supportive) and said a formal consultation would follow; we found no formal consultation published as of 22 Oct 2026. VisitScotland lists Aberdeenshire as early engagement only.
Fees
Applies until 31 Mar 2027, by maximum guests. New home sharing or letting: £364 (1 to 2), £481.50 (3 to 4), £610 (5 to 9), £727.75 (10 to 15), £909.75 (16+).
New secondary letting, and provisional licences for new builds or conversions: £481.50, £642, £813.50, £909.75, £1,006. Renewal home sharing or letting: £331.75, £433.50, £545.75, £652.75, £824.
Renewal secondary letting: £433.50, £578, £738.50, £824, £920.25. Duplicate licence £53.50.
Variation £107 and transfer £150 (the council page dates these to 31 Mar 2026). Fees are non-refundable.
Compare Aberdeenshire's licence fees with other Scottish councils
What changed in Aberdeenshire
- Rules on this page last checked in full against the official sources listed above.
Newest first. Every UK change is in the changes log. Nothing here is legal advice: check the official source before acting.
Scotland tools
- Compare licence fees across all 32 Scottish councils
- How to get a short-term let licence (steps and checklist)
- Business rates or council tax? 140/70 nights checker
- Fire safety for short-term lets (alarms, doors, checklist)
- Insurance: the buildings and public liability licence condition
- Visitor levy map
Not sure what applies to your let? Use the free licence checker: pick your nation, council and type of let for a plain-English answer with the official source.
Buying here? See the buyer checks for Aberdeenshire: licence or registration, planning, visitor levy, business rates or council tax, plus the lender, insurance and title checks to make before you buy.
Key dates
- 24 Jun to 22 Jul 2025: initial visitor levy survey
- 31 Mar 2027: current licence fees end
Aberdeenshire short-let rules: quick answers
Do I need a short-term let licence in Aberdeenshire?
Licence needed (Scotland-wide). All short-term lets (secondary letting, home letting, home sharing) need a licence from the council before taking bookings or guests. Step-by-step licence guide and checklist. Apply or renew online through Aberdeenshire Council (questions: stl@aberdeenshire.gov.uk). You need one licence per separately bookable self-contained unit; a group of yurts or lodges on the same land can get a multi-unit licence. The council says a garden cabin, a self-contained extension or a converted steading, barn or garage with its own access needs a secondary letting licence. You must display a public notice outside the property; objections can be made within 28 days. Documents to send: EICR (within 5 years), PAT certificate and gas safety certificate (both within 12 months), EPC (secondary lets), and evidence of buildings insurance plus public or property owners liability cover of at least £2m. The council will not process incomplete applications and has up to 9 months to decide. A renewal must be in before the expiry date, or you become a new host and pay the higher fee.
Do I need planning permission for a short-term let in Aberdeenshire?
No control area. mygov.scot lists only two in Scotland (all of Edinburgh, and Badenoch & Strathspey in Highland).
Is there a visitor levy (tourist tax) in Aberdeenshire?
No scheme proposed yet. The council ran an initial survey from 24 Jun to 22 Jul 2025 (767 responses, 65% not supportive) and said a formal consultation would follow; we found no formal consultation published as of 22 Oct 2026. VisitScotland lists Aberdeenshire as early engagement only.
How much does a short-term let licence cost in Aberdeenshire?
Applies until 31 Mar 2027, by maximum guests. New home sharing or letting: £364 (1 to 2), £481.50 (3 to 4), £610 (5 to 9), £727.75 (10 to 15), £909.75 (16+). New secondary letting, and provisional licences for new builds or conversions: £481.50, £642, £813.50, £909.75, £1,006. Renewal home sharing or letting: £331.75, £433.50, £545.75, £652.75, £824. Renewal secondary letting: £433.50, £578, £738.50, £824, £920.25. Duplicate licence £53.50. Variation £107 and transfer £150 (the council page dates these to 31 Mar 2026). Fees are non-refundable.
Answers summarise the sections above. Follow each section's official source before acting.
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