Festival & Events Letting
Capitalise on peak demand - legally
Edinburgh's population doubles in July and August. Average short-stay rates hit £281/night - the highest in the UK. A 6-week temporary licence could generate over £8,500 per property.
You cannot let - even for one night - without a licence or exemption
Advertising without one is also a criminal offence. Edinburgh Council is actively investigating unlicensed listings.
Temporary Licence & Exemption Package - £299+VAT
Under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, councils can issue a Temporary Licence or Exemption for up to 6 weeks. Our package covers everything:
What certification do you actually need?
Edinburgh changed its certification requirements for temporary exemptions on 31 January 2025. The rules now depend on which let type you are applying for:
Home Letting / Home Sharing
Temporary exemption
- Gas safety certificate if there is any gas appliance.
- EICR not required (electrical installation condition report).
- PAT not required (portable appliance testing).
- Both are still recommended as good practice, but no longer needed for the temporary exemption itself.
- Fire risk assessment still applies.
Secondary Letting
Temporary exemption
- Gas safety certificate (if any gas appliance).
- EICR still required.
- PAT still required.
- Fire risk assessment.
- Floor plan typically requested.
Full three-year STL Licence
A full licence still needs the lot, regardless of let type: gas certificate, EICR, PAT, fire risk assessment, fire safety checklist, floor plan and a site location plan. If you intend to operate beyond a single short window each year, this is the right route.
The planning question still applies
All of the above only addresses licensing. Edinburgh is inside a city-wide Short-Term Let Control Area (confirmed 5 September 2022). Secondary letting in the city technically also requires planning permission, even where you hold a temporary exemption from licensing. In practice the council has rarely pursued planning separately on temporary exemptions to date, but that position can change. If you are not sure where you stand, get in touch and we will tell you straight.
Deep dive
Read our full Edinburgh festival licensing guide
Detailed walk-through of the four common scenarios (home letting, home sharing, secondary letting, and the August student-flat arbitrage), the licensing-vs-planning distinction, common missteps, and a practical sequence for getting ready in time.
Read the full guideWho This Is For
Don't risk a fine - get covered today
For just £299+VAT, we handle everything. You focus on welcoming guests.
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