Short-term let rules in Renfrewshire (updated 29 Oct 2026)
Last checked: 3 official source pages for this council scanned automatically for changes on 2 Nov 2026What changed
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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 (secondary let £927 to £1,274 by bedrooms from Apr 2026; renewal fee not published, check with council). Licence lasts 3 years; renew at least 6 weeks before expiry. No control area. No visitor levy yet.
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 and pay online through Renfrewshire Council's MyAccount (electronic signatures accepted).
A new application needs a plan of the accommodation (not to scale, showing what the policy requires), buildings insurance and public liability insurance, plus proof of right to work and a criminal record check; a provisional licence is also available.
Display the council's notice at or near the premises for 21 days from the day you apply (objections close 28 days after you apply), then return the notice and a signed certificate of compliance. Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, the local councillor, the community council and the council's planning team are consulted.
If there is an objection, the Regulatory Functions Board decides and you can appeal to the Sheriff within 28 days. The council aims to consider applications within 3 months and decide within 9.
A licence lasts three years; apply to renew at least 6 weeks before it expires, or it stops being valid. To change licence type you need a new application, not a variation.
Questions go to licensing.cs@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
Control area / planning
None foundNo control area. mygov.scot lists only two in Scotland (all of Edinburgh, and Badenoch & Strathspey in Highland). You may still need planning permission depending on the property; Renfrewshire's planning team checks every application for relevant planning consents.
Visitor levy
None foundNo levy yet. On 17 September 2025 the Leadership Board authorised officers to begin formal stakeholder consultation and develop a visitor levy proposition, after an estimate that a 5% levy could raise about £2m a year before costs.
We found no published consultation or scheme since (searched 24 Oct 2026). Any Scottish levy needs at least 18 months' notice.
Source: source
Fees
Application fees from 1 April 2026, by bedrooms let (1 / 2 / 3 / 4 or more). Home letting, home sharing or both: £291 / £407 / £407 / £407.
Secondary letting: £927 / £1,043 / £1,159 / £1,274. Provisional licence: home £189 / £264 / £264 / £264, secondary £603 / £678 / £754 / £829; confirming it then costs home £213 / £254 / £254 / £254, secondary £435 / £476 / £516 / £557.
Temporary exemption £117, variation £117, material change of circumstances £117, transfer £89, certified duplicate or true copy £48, inspection after a complaint £156.87 an hour. Fees are not refunded if you are refused or withdraw. check with council The council does not publish a separate renewal fee, so confirm what you will pay to renew with licensing.cs@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
Source: source
Compare Renfrewshire's licence fees with other Scottish councils
What changed in Renfrewshire
- Rules on this page last checked in full against the official sources listed above.
- Added council pages for Inverclyde (2026/27 licence fees from £508 for a secondary let; levy decision on hold while the council monitors the national rollout) and Renfrewshire (2026/27 fees by bedrooms, £927 to £1,274 for a secondary let; renewal fee not published; levy proposition being developed). Both added to the levy map's 'None proposed yet' group. Official source
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 Renfrewshire: 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
- 1 Oct 2022: licensing scheme opens
- 17 Sep 2025: officers authorised to develop a visitor levy proposition
- 1 Apr 2026: current fees apply
Renfrewshire short-let rules: quick answers
Do I need a short-term let licence in Renfrewshire?
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 and pay online through Renfrewshire Council's MyAccount (electronic signatures accepted). A new application needs a plan of the accommodation (not to scale, showing what the policy requires), buildings insurance and public liability insurance, plus proof of right to work and a criminal record check; a provisional licence is also available. Display the council's notice at or near the premises for 21 days from the day you apply (objections close 28 days after you apply), then return the notice and a signed certificate of compliance. Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, the local councillor, the community council and the council's planning team are consulted. If there is an objection, the Regulatory Functions Board decides and you can appeal to the Sheriff within 28 days. The council aims to consider applications within 3 months and decide within 9. A licence lasts three years; apply to renew at least 6 weeks before it expires, or it stops being valid. To change licence type you need a new application, not a variation. Questions go to licensing.cs@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
Do I need planning permission for a short-term let in Renfrewshire?
No control area. mygov.scot lists only two in Scotland (all of Edinburgh, and Badenoch & Strathspey in Highland). You may still need planning permission depending on the property; Renfrewshire's planning team checks every application for relevant planning consents.
Is there a visitor levy (tourist tax) in Renfrewshire?
No levy yet. On 17 September 2025 the Leadership Board authorised officers to begin formal stakeholder consultation and develop a visitor levy proposition, after an estimate that a 5% levy could raise about £2m a year before costs. We found no published consultation or scheme since (searched 24 Oct 2026). Any Scottish levy needs at least 18 months' notice.
How much does a short-term let licence cost in Renfrewshire?
Application fees from 1 April 2026, by bedrooms let (1 / 2 / 3 / 4 or more). Home letting, home sharing or both: £291 / £407 / £407 / £407. Secondary letting: £927 / £1,043 / £1,159 / £1,274. Provisional licence: home £189 / £264 / £264 / £264, secondary £603 / £678 / £754 / £829; confirming it then costs home £213 / £254 / £254 / £254, secondary £435 / £476 / £516 / £557. Temporary exemption £117, variation £117, material change of circumstances £117, transfer £89, certified duplicate or true copy £48, inspection after a complaint £156.87 an hour. Fees are not refunded if you are refused or withdraw. check with council The council does not publish a separate renewal fee, so confirm what you will pay to renew with licensing.cs@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
Answers summarise the sections above. Follow each section's official source before acting.
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