Short Term Lets Licensing Fife Council
Having been in the pipeline for quite some time, local authorities have now begun publishing proposed Short-term Let Licencing fees. As directed by the Scottish Government, Fife Council have published their regulatory plan and associated fees, which will be applicable to all holidays let operators as of 1st October 2022.
This may seem a little daunting to both new and existing property owners alike, but we are here to assist and ensure obtaining the required license is as seamless as possible. Many of the requirements noted within the plan, meet the same legislative requirements which already exist for holiday rentals.
Operators must meet Mandatory Conditions, if required, by the council. Those most important to the license application and general safety include:
- Fire Safety (Fire Risk Assessments, presence of extinguishers, fire blanket etc) *
- Gas Safety (annual Gas Safety Certification required) *
- Electrical Safety (EICR, PAT tests) *
- Water Safety (Legionella Risk Assessment) *
- Safety and Repairing Standards
- Maximum occupancy *
- Insurance *
* pre-existing compliance
As property managers, we at Kingask work closely with local tradesmen who conduct the above. We are happy to arrange safety certifications on behalf of our property owners, to ensure properties are, and remain, compliant.
Alongside the above, there may be additional conditions introduced, to help reduce nuisance caused, including:
- Excessive noise
- Guest arrival times
- Obstructions within communal areas
- Instructions provided for emergency situations
- Annual inspections of wood burners/chimneys
Proposed Fees
Fife Council have proposed an indicative fee schedule for the license application for short-term let operators, which is shown below:
| Property Occupancy | License/Renewal Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-2 guests | £264.00 |
| 3-4 guests | £292.00 |
| 5-6 guests | £320.00 |
| 7-8 guests | £348.00 |
| 9-10 guests | £377.00 |
Where operators have a greater occupancy than those noted above, the additional fees for each 1-2 guests is £28.00; 3-4 guests £56.00; 5-6 guests £84.00.
Next Steps
For new property owners looking to operate a short-term holiday let for the first time, they will require a license before being able do so. Short Term Lets Licensing comes in to fruition on 1st October 2022
For those already operating and renting their property as a holiday let, an application for the license will be required by the 1st April 2023, if they wish to continue doing so.
It will be an offence punishable by fine of up to £5,000.00 for short-term lets granted without a license.
For now, we await further information from the council regarding the application process, what the forms look like and when this process can begin. Further clarification is also required regarding the additional conditions which may be imposed.
As and when more information is provided, we shall ensure this publication is updated for your reference. The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterer’s (ASSC) will also provide updates accordingly:
