Short-term let rules in East Renfrewshire (updated 29 Oct 2026)

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 online to East Renfrewshire Council (the Private Sector Housing team runs the scheme). Read the council's checklists first: the online form cannot be saved part-way, and it takes one upload per evidence item (send extras to STL@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk with the address and applicant name). All owners, day-to-day managers and the applicant go on one form, and the council checks title deeds. You get a provisional licence number, usually within 5 working days; once all documents and the fee are in, the council aims to decide within 28 days (the legal maximum is 9 months). Display the council's public notice at or near the property for 21 days from the day you apply (objections can be made for 28 days), then send the certificate of compliance to STL@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk. Licences last up to 3 years. The council adds its own conditions to every first licence, covering hot tubs (a separate legionella risk assessment), antisocial behaviour, waste, key boxes and, for some flats, floor coverings and no arrivals or departures between 11pm and 7am. The council says it is revising its policy and portal, so for a transfer or a provisional licence for a new build, contact STL@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk or 0141 577 8362.

No control area. mygov.scot lists only two in Scotland (all of Edinburgh, and Badenoch & Strathspey in Highland). East Renfrewshire says it does not intend to bring in a control area because short-term letting is estimated to be low, and it keeps this under review. Check with the council's planning service before you apply, telling them how often and for how long you will let: the council can refuse to consider a licence application if the let would breach planning control.

No levy, and no proposal found (searched 24 Oct 2026). East Renfrewshire is not on the national list of approved schemes and was not among the councils consulting on or considering a levy in a July 2026 Herald survey. Any Scottish levy needs at least 18 months' notice. Separately, a December 2023 Cabinet report proposed removing the 10% second homes discount and charging a premium of up to 100% (double council tax) from 1 April 2024. check with council We could not confirm the final second homes rate on the council's website.

From the council's fee table (read 24 Oct 2026; the page does not say which year it covers), by bedrooms, for a licence of up to 3 years. Secondary let: new £972 (up to 2 bedrooms), rising £53.50 per extra bedroom to £1,293 (8 or more); renewal £805 to £1,126. Home letting, or home letting and home sharing: new £661 to £982; renewal £549 to £870. Home sharing: new £377 (1 bedroom) to £483.40 (5 bedrooms); renewal £313 to £421. Provisional licence for a new build from £972, transfer £155; a material change of circumstances costs the same as a new application. The full fee is paid when you apply and is not refunded. check with council The table shows £962 (not £982) for an 8+ bedroom home letting and home sharing licence, so confirm that fee with STL@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk.