Accommodation licences

There are three kinds of short-term lets (STL):

• Secondary Letting (accommodation which is not the host’s home)
• Home Sharing (accommodation, which is the host’s home, for example a bed and breakfast)
• Home Letting (accommodation which is the host’s home)

You will need a Licence covering one of these. You can get a licence covering both Home Sharing and Home Letting).

Privacy notice

The short-term let licensing privacy notice document sets out how we use the personal information you provide when applying for a short-term let license, or make an objection to an application.

If you intend to use land as a caravan site, you need a licence.

To be eligible you must:

• be entitled to use the land as a caravan site
• have valid planning permission

More information is available in our caravan site licence conditions document.

There are three types of sites:

• residential - year round use, with permanent caravans used as the occupiers' sole, or main, home
• holiday - caravans on site for most of the year, but not continuously occupied as sole, or main, home
• touring - caravans not permanently on site or occupied temporarily.

Mixed usage sites may need two licences.

How to apply

Complete and return a caravan site licence application document.

You must include:

• three copies of the site layout plan
• evidence that the site has planning permission and any conditions applied

See our caravan site licence notes document for applicants.

Next stages

We will consult with colleagues, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. We will consider things like:

• utilities
• Protected Site Agreement
• Discrimination

to help us decide whether to grant a licence.

Licence length

A licence for touring and holiday sites is permanent.

A licence for residential sites lasts for up to five years. The licence holder should apply for renewal.

If the land is sold, the licence will only pass to the new owner if the previous owner applies to the council for consent under Section 10. Contact us for more information.

Licence conditions

If the licence holder breaks the conditions of a licence, or if the council thinks the licence holder or the site manager is not fit for purpose, the council can:

• revoke the Licence
• make an order to stop the licence holder collecting pitch fees and sale commissions

The Police can prosecute a licence holder who breaks the conditions of the Licence.

If you rent a property to three or more unrelated people who share a kitchen, bathroom or a toilet, you must have a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence from the council.

Landlord Registration is not enough. If the house is Registered under the separate Landlord Registration scheme but is an HMO, the Registration is not an exemption, and you should still apply for an HMO Licence.

Landlord Registration is regulated by different legislation (the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004). If Living Accommodation is covered by the HMO definition, then there must be a Licence unless any of the statutory exemptions apply.

Remaining unlicenced

We may issue a 'Rent Suspension Order' if you don't have a licence.

This means Tenants or Occupiers stop having to pay rent, but the lease or other occupancy arrangement continues, so they remain in occupation and cannot be evicted for non-payment. If there is a lease, the Landlord still has to keep the house in good repair and Housing Benefit is stopped (the Department of Work and Pensions may also stop the Housing element of Universal Credit.

The Landlord and anyone acting as his/her agent can be prosecuted for a criminal offence. The penalty is a fine up to £50,000.

How to apply

Before you begin, read our HMO guide document.

Complete and return a HMO application form document.

If you intend to take steps within three months to stop being an HMO needing a Licence, you can apply for a "Temporary Exemption Order". This lasts for three months.

Next stages

When we have received your application and fee we'll consult with Police Scotland and council departments. We'll arrange to carry out an inspection on your proposed premises to make sure they meet the required standards.

Applications advertised on this website allow for objections or representations.

If there is any comment from the public, Police Scotland or any council department, you will be told, and your application will be referred to the Licensing Committee for a decision. If the Committee decides to have a hearing, you will be invited to that and you will be able to speak to the Committee. The majority of applications do not need a hearing and are granted by council officers.

It may take up to three months to process your application. If you haven’t heard from the Licensing Office in this time, contact us.

Licence length

If granted, this licence lasts three years from the date of issue and can be renewed.

If you already hold a licence and you apply again to renew it before it expires, the licence continues even after expiry, until North Ayrshire Council decide on the renewal.

Licence conditions

The licence will have the council's Standard Conditions. In some cases, the council may apply special conditions appropriate to your circumstances.

The conditions will be set out in the licence document you will be given. If these are broken, then:

• you and any agent can be charged by Police Scotland
• the Licensing Committee can suspend the licence after a hearing. You will be invited to such a hearing and will be able to speak to the committee.

All private landlords letting residential properties in Scotland must be registered to do so. You must register with each local authority in whose area you let property. If you own properties in more than one area, you can register online with one application. This will reduce the total fee that you'll have to pay.

How to apply

Apply for private landlord registration and view fees on the Scottish Landlord Register.

Exemptions

You may be exempt from registering if one or more of the qualifying exemptions cover all the houses you let:

• letting part of your own home
• letting to the tenant of an agricultural holding or croft

If you are just entering the market, you should register before letting property.

Property management agents

The Letting Agent Code of Practice (Scotland) Regulations 2016, is managed by the Scottish Government.

More Information

The Private Sector Advice Service is available to offer you support and advice on a variety of housing matters.

Members of the public can search the register to find out whether a person or organisation is registered, or to get contact details for a particular rented property.