Short-term let rules in West Lothian (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 West Lothian Council, then email your evidence to stl@westlothian.gov.uk. The council will not hold an incomplete application. Its list of required documents includes planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness (for every application, see below), a 1:50 floor plan showing room sizes, fire escapes, alarms and fire doors (not needed for an unchanged renewal), owner consent where you are not the owner, an EPC where one applies, a fire safety risk assessment, a gas safety certificate (where there is gas), an EICR and a PAT report. The council checks with Scottish Fire and Rescue, which may lead to an inspection.

No control area. mygov.scot lists only two in Scotland (all of Edinburgh, and Badenoch & Strathspey in Highland). But West Lothian says every short-term let licence application, of any type, must come with planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness for short-stay use (or one confirming the use is not a material change), and an application without one cannot be progressed. Contact the planning service directly, as the licensing team cannot advise on planning.

No levy yet. In June 2025 the Council Executive agreed to start early engagement with tourism businesses on a possible levy (a report modelled 2% and 5% rates), and the council stressed no decision had been made. We found no formal consultation or scheme since (searched 24 Oct 2026). Any Scottish levy needs at least 18 months' notice.

check with council West Lothian publishes two different fee tables. The council's Schedule of Fees and Charges 2025/26 sets fees by bedrooms: secondary letting £500.86 (1 bedroom), £612.16 (2 to 3), £801.38 (4 to 6), £1,113.03 (7 or more); home sharing or letting £361.73, £467.47, £662.25, £962.77. Variation £166.95, temporary licence 50% of the full fee, temporary exemption £333.91, inspection and report £133.56. The short-term lets web page still shows the fees agreed in December 2022, set by guests: secondary letting £450 (1 to 2 guests), £550 (3 to 6), £720 (7 to 12), £1,000 (12 to 14); home sharing or letting £325, £420, £595, £865; variation £50, transfer £120. We have not found a 2026/27 schedule, so confirm the current fee with stl@westlothian.gov.uk before you pay. The council says there are no discounts for multiple properties.