Renewing your short term let licence

With the first of the short term let licences reaching their expiry date, we’re ready to help clients with their renewal.

Having been deeply involved with short term let licensing in Argyll and Bute, we’re now monitoring the renewals process, to make sure clients get through this as smoothly as possible.

Fortunately the process is running well at Argyll and Bute Council. There’s a new web portal and the team is currently processing applications quickly. However, you should still bear in mind that after the initial “validation” by the licensing team there’s a statutory consultation phase which takes two to three months.

You should a apply two months before the expiry date of your current licence. Your existing licence will remain valid until a decision is made — as long as the renewal application is submitted in time.

What much does a renewal cost?

The fees for renewals are the same as for a new licence. They’ve increased each year but they are in the same ballpark as they were in 2023. For example, a property used as a whole unit rental (i.e. “secondary letting”) for up to 4 guests, incurs a licence fee of £376.35.

What information must be submitted for a renewal?

Firstly you should note that most documentation needs to be uploaded at the time of the application as the software will not allow you to proceed without it. You can however clarify a few points by email after the submission.

Your insurance documentation, electrical (EICR and PAT) certificates, gas safety certificate, and energy performance certificate (EPCs) must all be in date and must be uploaded. Note that EICRs need to be less than 5 years old, Portable appliance test certification must be less than two years old, and gas safety certificates, less than one year old. All safety certificates must be marked “SATISFACTORY”.

EPC reports must be less than 10 years old.

Insurance must include Buildings cover and Property Owner’s Liability cover (which the STL application refers to as “Public Liability”).

If you have a private water supply you will need to have your latest annual certification ready.

Changes to layout, fire safety precautions, or adding a facility

Open fires and log burners have been recently deemed as “additional guest facilities” – which might mean you are asked to provide a copy of the fire risk assessment and layout plans which show the proximity of furniture to the fireplace.

You’ll in any case, need to supply an updated floor plan if you declare that changes have been made to the fire safety precautions. You may also be asked to re-submit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SRFS) Checklist, a document which is available on the Council’s short term lets web page.

You also need to declare EV chargers, hot tubs, bicycles and swimming pools added since your original application. Risk assessments are required for these.

An opportunity amend your licence

If you wish to change the capacity of your property, tell the team about a layout change, change names of those involved, or add in extra facilities, the renewal gives you the opportunity to do this.

Who gets consulted over renewal applications

We understand that Police Scotland are consulted including that the Fit and Proper Person check is repeated at the renewal stage for all individuals involved as owners, managers or for company ownership, directors. Typically the licensing team will also consult with Fire & Rescue, the Private Water Supply team and Environmental Health health and safety team.

The Planning Department would be consulted if there had been changes or additions to the property or if the original licence was only issued as a “deemed grant of licence”. The latter were quite common where the process exceeded the statutory timescale for determining the application.

Are you compliant?

If your safety documents previously included recommended action points, now is the time to deal with these. If your documents pass in front of the licensing team or the fire officer, they’re probably going to ask for evidence that you’ve resolved any weak areas identified.

What if a property changes hands?

There is a process within the short term lets guidance, which allows for a licence to be transferred. For example if a property is sold, or if the licence holder dies and the property is inherited.  There is a fee for transferring the licence (currently £91.70) and if the transfer is accepted, e.g. police checks are clear, then the licence will continue to run for its remaining term.

Prefer to hand over the paperwork?

Clarity Safety Solutions can handle everything — from completing risk assessments to preparing and submitting your full renewal application. We cover the whole of Argyll and Bute, mainland and islands. Get in touch for a free quotation.

Tel 01631 564 954

Further information

The Council’s website includes a page dedicated to the topic: https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/licences/short-term-lets-licence