Short-term let rules in Scottish Borders (updated 29 Oct 2026)
Last checked: 4 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 (3-year licence, £417 to £537 by guest numbers). No control area. No visitor levy proposed.
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 through Scottish Borders Council (urgent questions: stllicensing@scotborders.gov.uk).
The council says unlicensed letting is enforced by Police Scotland.
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 visitor levy proposed. Scottish Borders is not on VisitScotland's list of councils that have introduced, are consulting on, or are engaging on a levy (checked 22 Oct 2026).
Source: source
Fees
New and renewal, usually a 3-year licence: £417 (1 to 3 guests), £465 (4 to 6), £537 (7 or more). Variation or change in circumstances £104, duplicate licence £50. The council may charge for inspections after a breach of conditions or a complaint.
Source: source
Compare Scottish Borders' licence fees with other Scottish councils
What changed in Scottish Borders
- 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 Scottish Borders: 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
- None listed.
Scottish Borders short-let rules: quick answers
Do I need a short-term let licence in Scottish Borders?
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 through Scottish Borders Council (urgent questions: stllicensing@scotborders.gov.uk). The council says unlicensed letting is enforced by Police Scotland.
Do I need planning permission for a short-term let in Scottish Borders?
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 Scottish Borders?
No visitor levy proposed. Scottish Borders is not on VisitScotland's list of councils that have introduced, are consulting on, or are engaging on a levy (checked 22 Oct 2026).
How much does a short-term let licence cost in Scottish Borders?
New and renewal, usually a 3-year licence: £417 (1 to 3 guests), £465 (4 to 6), £537 (7 or more). Variation or change in circumstances £104, duplicate licence £50. The council may charge for inspections after a breach of conditions or a complaint.
Answers summarise the sections above. Follow each section's official source before acting.
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