Short Term Lets

The aims of the licensing scheme are:

• to ensure all short-term lets are safe
• to facilitate licensing authorities in knowing and understanding what is happening in their area 
• to assist with handling complaints and address issues faced by neighbours effectively 

We publish details of all the short-term let licence applications we receive in our short-term let licence register, which is regularly updated,

View our online register. (Excel doc, 19 KB)

Before completing your application please read and review the checklists below to ensure you have all the information you require to proceed:

Getting your application right first time will help you to get a decision more quickly.

The maximum period for processing applications as set out in legislation is 9 months for new hosts and 12 months for existing hosts during the transitional period. Where East Renfrewshire Council has received all valid documentation, fees and information to validate your application - we aim to process your application within 28 days.

Please refer to our FAQs sheet (PDF, 393 KB) for information on licensing multiple properties on one site

• Application checklist (legal requirements) (PDF, 393 KB)
• Application checklist (documentation and personal information) (PDF, 153 KB)
• fire safety checklist (PDF, 148 KB) 

View fees and apply online

East Renfrewshire Council does not intend on implementing Control Area Regulations mainly due to the, estimated, low prevalence of Short Term Let activity operating in this local authority area.

This will be kept under review as the application process opens and we can establish overall prevalence.

Under provisions within the Licensing Order, a preliminary ground for refusing to consider an application for a Short Term Let is that the use of the proposed premises would constitute a breach of planning controls set out under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 by virtue of section 123 (1) (a) or (b) of that Act.

Hosts and operators are, therefore, encouraged to engage with the Council's planning department prior to submitting a licence application to confirm whether they require planning permission or a certificate of lawful use of development:

See our Apply for planning permission web page for more information.

If you're applying for a provisional new build licence we will require you upload your provisional planning certificate as part of your application.

Hosts are responsible for notifying residents and neighbours of their application for a new Short-Term Lets Licence, or their renewal of an existing Short-Term Lets licence.

Applicants are required to display a site Notice clearly at, or near the premises, so that it can be conveniently read by the public, for a period of 21 days, beginning with the date on which the application was submitted to the Council - information can be found in the Scottish Government's Short term lets Guidance. 

A Notice must state:

• that an application has been made for a licence
• the main facts of the application
• that objections and representations in relation to the application can be made to the Council, and
• how to make objections or representations

Download and complete a Public notice application (PDF, 371 KB)

Download and complete an objection form (PDF, 91 KB)

Download and complete a Certificate of compliance (PDF, 177 KB)

If you experience any noise, nuisance, antisocial behaviour or criminal related activity from a short term let property you can report any incidents using our Ring and Report service via Police Scotland or email STL@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk.

Read our Short term lets licensing policy (PDF, 696 KB) and Space standards (PDF, 180 KB)

Read our Frequently Answered Questions (FAQs) (PDF, 445 KB) 

View our Licensing of Short term lets (STLs) Equality, Fairness and Rights Impact Assessment (PDF, 983 KB)

We'll send you a copy of the revised policy once agreed

We'll also send you a copy of the revised FAQs sheet once approved

Complaints regarding the Council's operation of its Short-Term Lets Licensing Policy or Procedures will be investigated in accordance with the Council's formal Complaints Procedure.

Complaints should be sent to the Senior Officer for investigation:

email stl@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk 

Alternatively complaints can be sent by post to:

Senior Officer (Private Sector Housing Team)
East Renfrewshire Council
211 Main Street
Barrhead
East Renfrewshire, G78 1SY

The Council will aim to respond to 1^st stage complaints within 5 working days and 2^nd stage complaints within 20 working days. The Council will keep a record of all complaints made under this Policy.