Short-term let rules in South Lanarkshire (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 through South Lanarkshire Council's licensing portal, with the application checklist, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service fire safety checklist, a copy of your EPC (where needed) and, for a new licence, eight copies of a layout plan showing escape routes, alarms, rooms, beds and occupancy. Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, planning, building control, environmental services and housing are consulted, and local councillors are told. Once the council confirms your application is valid it sends you a site notice: display it at or near the property for 21 days, then sign the confirmation and return the whole notice to the Licensing and Registration Section (licensing@southlanarkshire.gov.uk). Objections go to the Licensing Committee. Licences last up to 3 years; apply to renew before yours expires and it carries on until the council decides (within 9 months). The council does not grant temporary exemptions. You can appeal to the Sheriff Court within 28 days. Fees are not refunded if you withdraw or are refused.

No control area. mygov.scot lists only two in Scotland (all of Edinburgh, and Badenoch & Strathspey in Highland). South Lanarkshire's policy confirms there are no control areas in the council area, kept under review. Outside a control area a short-term let can still be a material change of use needing planning permission, decided case by case: speak to the planning service before you apply. If planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness is needed, it must go in with your licence application.

No levy yet. In October 2025 the Executive Committee agreed to research and informally consult on a possible visitor levy, after being told a 2.5% to 7.5% levy could raise £800,000 to £2.5 million a year. Researchers working for the council surveyed accommodation providers until 17 August 2026, and findings with a refreshed tourism strategy are due to go to councillors before any formal consultation. We found no formal consultation or decision (searched 24 Oct 2026). Any Scottish levy needs at least 18 months' notice. Separately, the council's council tax page says second homes pay a 100% surcharge (200% council tax) from 1 April 2024.

Fees from 1 April 2026, by maximum occupancy (1 to 2 / 3 to 6 / 7 to 10 / 11 or more guests). The same fee applies to a new application, a temporary licence, a renewal or a variation. Secondary letting: £381.43 / £572.14 / £699.29 / £953.58. Home letting, home sharing, or both: £317.86 / £476.79 / £572.14 / £794.65. Provisional licence £200 (on confirmation you pay the full fee minus the £200), transfer £200, material change £50.85, duplicate licence £31.78, inspection fee to be agreed. Fees are non-refundable.