Short term lets - licensing scheme part 1: guidance for hosts and operators

Annex A - Application checklist

This list is intended to provide a helpful starting point for checking you have the relevant information required in order to submit an application for a licence. Getting your application right first time will make the process easier for you and your licensing authority and will help you to get a decision more quickly.

Your licensing authority will set out the detail and format of any documentation that must accompany your application.

Preliminary

I am providing or intend to provide short-term lets – see definition of short-term lets in chapter 2.

I know the date by which I need to apply for a licence – see paragraph 1.22.

I know whether I can continue operating whilst my application is processed – see paragraph 1.26.

I know which type of licence I want to apply for – see paragraph 2.10:

• home sharing and home letting; or
• secondary letting.

I have identified my licensing authority based on the address of my premises.

I have checked whether my licensing authority has an overprovision policy that might affect my application - see paragraph 4.3.

I have checked whether my licensing authority considers applications for temporary exemptions and, if so, whether I should apply for one – see paragraph 5.5.

I have checked whether my licensing authority considers applications for temporary licences and, if so, whether I should apply for one – see paragraph 5.12.

Applicants (see chapter 4)

I have identified the owners and those involved with the day-to-day management of my premises.

I have the permission of the owners of the premises to use it for this purpose.

To the best of my knowledge, I and the other people I will name on my application are fit and proper persons.

I have contact details for the people and organisations I will name on my application form.

Mandatory conditions (see chapter 4)

Responsibility for the property

Agents – I have identified those involved with the day-to-day management of my premises and know that I cannot change them without the licensing authority's approval.

General safety and standards

General safety – I have taken all reasonable steps to ensure the property is safe for residential use.

Occupancy - I know how many guests I want to accommodate and I consider that I can do this safely.

Repairing standard – I have worked out whether my premises is a dwellinghouse and whether the repairing standard applies to me.

[If relevant] My premises meets the repairing standard.

[If relevant] EPC – my premises has a valid EPC certificate issued within the last 10 years.

Fire safety

Fire safety: premises – I have installed satisfactory equipment to detect and warn against fire or suspected fire, and carbon monoxide.

Fire safety: furniture and furnishings - my furniture and furnishings comply with fire safety regulations and I have records that demonstrate compliance.

Gas Safety

Gas Safety – I have an up to date Gas Safety Certificate (dated within the last 12 months).

Mandatory conditions (continued)

Electrical safety

Electrical safety – I have made sure my electrical fittings and items are in good working order;

arranged for an electrical safety inspection to be carried out by a competent person;

obtained an Electrical Installation Condition Report on any fixed installations; and

obtained a Portable Appliance Testing Report on moveable appliances to which my guests have access and labelled inspected items.

Water safety

Water supply – I have established that my premises are supplied with water by Scottish Water or I have established that my premises has a private water supply and I comply with the relevant regulations.

I have completed a legionella risk assessment.

Other

Information for guests – I have prepared information for guests and know where I will put it for them on the premises.

Planning permission – I have established whether I need to submit evidence that I have planning permission (or a certificate of lawful use of development) or have made an application.

Listings: licence number – I have made plans to display my licence number on adverts and listings.

[If relevant] Listings: EPC rating– I have made plans to display my EPC rating on adverts and listings.

Buildings insurance – I have checked that there is valid buildings insurance in place for the premises.

Public liability insurance - I have checked that there is valid public liability insurance for my activities, with a minimum level of cover of £5 million.

Additional conditions

I have checked whether my licensing authority has any additional licence conditions and I can comply with the ones that are likely to apply to me – see paragraph 4.86.

Other matters to consider

Food safety - I understand the food hygiene and safety rules that apply to me – see paragraph 4.88.

I comply with legal requirements that relate to fire safety set out in the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 - see paragraphs 4.32, 4.52 and 4.89.

I have checked the title deeds of my premises – see paragraph 4.92.

I will declare my income from my short-term let activity for tax purposes – see paragraph 4.93.

I have checked with my lender that I am allowed to use my premises for this purpose – see paragraph 4.94.

I am complying with other legal requirements that affect me, my business or my premises – see paragraph 4.95.

I have considered engaging with my neighbours – see paragraph 4.96.

Fees

I know the fee that I will charged and I am ready to pay it with my application- see paragraph 5.18.