Short-term let rules in East Lothian (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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What changed (29 Oct 2026): East Lothian Council did not approve a visitor levy on 27 Oct 2026. It agreed an independent review of its evidence and further assessment, with scheme options and recommendations to come to a later council meeting. Source · Get free alerts
Licence needed (3-year licence from £1,154 for 1 to 5 occupants, 2026/27 fees). No control area, but check planning before applying. Draft 5% visitor levy consulted on (26 Jun to 18 Sep 2026). On 27 Oct 2026 the council did not approve a levy; it agreed an independent review and further assessment, with options and recommendations to come back in a later report.
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 through the East Lothian Council short-term lets page (licensing team: stl@eastlothian.gov.uk, 01620 827664).
Applications are advertised by a site notice; anyone can comment within 21 days. The council publishes a public register of licences.
Control area / planning
None foundNo control area: the council says it has not designated any, but will review this over time. You still need to check whether your property needs planning permission (Planning: environment@eastlothian.gov.uk, 01620 827216).
If you apply without needed planning permission or a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development, the council will refuse to consider the application; you then have three months to apply for planning permission or a certificate, and the licence fee is not refunded if it is not granted.
Visitor levy
AppliesNot approved. The council consulted on a draft scheme from 26 Jun to 18 Sep 2026: a 5% levy on accommodation charges, all year, with no cap on chargeable nights.
The consultation had 530 responses. A report to the full council meeting on 27 Oct 2026 asks councillors to approve an independent review of the economic, social and community effects (including the option of no levy) before further recommendations on whether, and in what form, a levy should go ahead.
Source: source
Fees
Licensing Fees 2026/27 booklet, 3-year licence, new or renewal: £1,154 (1 to 5 occupants), £1,171 (6 to 10), £1,189 (11 to 20), £1,205 (21 to 30), £1,223 (31 to 40), £1,240 (41 to 50), £1,275 (51 to 60). Provisional licence £291 up front, with the balance of the full fee due on completion.
Temporary licence £291 (up to 6 weeks). Variation or transfer £97, duplicate £33.
The provisional licence fee only applies where the accommodation is under construction, not refurbishment. Fees are not refunded if an application is refused or withdrawn.
Compare East Lothian's licence fees with other Scottish councils
What changed in East Lothian
- East Lothian Council did not approve a visitor levy on 27 Oct 2026. It agreed an independent review of its evidence and further assessment, with scheme options and recommendations to come to a later council meeting. Official source
- 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 East Lothian: 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
- 26 Jun to 18 Sep 2026: draft 5% levy consultation
- 27 Oct 2026: council meeting on levy review
East Lothian short-let rules: quick answers
Do I need a short-term let licence in East Lothian?
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 through the East Lothian Council short-term lets page (licensing team: stl@eastlothian.gov.uk, 01620 827664). Applications are advertised by a site notice; anyone can comment within 21 days. The council publishes a public register of licences.
Do I need planning permission for a short-term let in East Lothian?
No control area: the council says it has not designated any, but will review this over time. You still need to check whether your property needs planning permission (Planning: environment@eastlothian.gov.uk, 01620 827216). If you apply without needed planning permission or a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development, the council will refuse to consider the application; you then have three months to apply for planning permission or a certificate, and the licence fee is not refunded if it is not granted.
Is there a visitor levy (tourist tax) in East Lothian?
Not approved. The council consulted on a draft scheme from 26 Jun to 18 Sep 2026: a 5% levy on accommodation charges, all year, with no cap on chargeable nights. The consultation had 530 responses. A report to the full council meeting on 27 Oct 2026 asks councillors to approve an independent review of the economic, social and community effects (including the option of no levy) before further recommendations on whether, and in what form, a levy should go ahead.
How much does a short-term let licence cost in East Lothian?
Licensing Fees 2026/27 booklet, 3-year licence, new or renewal: £1,154 (1 to 5 occupants), £1,171 (6 to 10), £1,189 (11 to 20), £1,205 (21 to 30), £1,223 (31 to 40), £1,240 (41 to 50), £1,275 (51 to 60). Provisional licence £291 up front, with the balance of the full fee due on completion. Temporary licence £291 (up to 6 weeks). Variation or transfer £97, duplicate £33. The provisional licence fee only applies where the accommodation is under construction, not refurbishment. Fees are not refunded if an application is refused or withdrawn.
Answers summarise the sections above. Follow each section's official source before acting.
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