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An Edinburgh home letting licence allows you to let your own home to guests while you are away, whether for a weekend or several weeks. Issued by the City of Edinburgh Council, it applies to your primary residence only, costs £120 per occupant, lasts 3 years, and does not require planning permission. EdinBnB handles the full application on your behalf, then manages your let for a flat 20% commission: you keep 80%.
An Edinburgh home letting licence covers you to let your own home to guests while you are away, for example during a holiday or work trip. It applies to your primary residence only.
If you own a separate property that you do not live in, that falls under secondary letting and requires a different licence, plus planning permission. With home letting, no planning permission is needed and the licence lasts 3 years.
New licence fee, paid to Edinburgh Council
Licence duration before renewal is required
Your primary residence is not affected by the control area
*Renewal costs £360 per occupant and covers another 3 year period. Fees are paid directly to Edinburgh Council and are non-refundable once your application has been submitted.
These safety certificates must be in place before your licence can be granted and kept up to date throughout the licence period.
Got questions about your home letting licence in Edinburgh? Here are the answers to what landlords ask most.
Yes. A home letting licence only applies to your primary residence. If you own a separate property that you do not live in, you need a secondary letting licence instead.
Yes – this is exactly what a home letting licence covers. You can let your whole home to guests while you are away, whether for a weekend or several weeks.
No. Home letting does not require planning permission. The Edinburgh Short-Term Let Control Area only affects secondary letting – properties that are not your main home.
A home letting licence costs £120 per occupant and lasts 3 years. Renewal costs £360 per occupant for another 3 year period. Fees are paid to Edinburgh Council and are non-refundable.
Yes. Edinburgh Council offers a temporary exemption specifically for the Fringe and festival period, costing £120. It allows you to host for up to 6 weeks per year. If you plan to let outside festival periods, a full licence is required.
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