Transfer or vary a short-term let licence

Find out how to transfer or vary an existing short-term let licence.

Transfer of licence

You must transfer your licence before you sell your premises.

If you are a short-term let licence holder you can apply to transfer your licence to somebody else. This will let the host to continue to trade whilst the transfer is taking place. It will also support the new hosts without requiring them to stop trading or cancel existing bookings.

We will consult Police Scotland as part of the transfer application and hosts or operators will need to submit new safety documents, insurance and fire safety checklists. A fee will be payable to transfer a licence.

Only the remaining term of the original licence will be transferred. We can only transfer the licence as per the original category or occupancy. Any other amendments will require you to submit a new application and accompanying fee.

Please email stl@aberdeenshire.gov.uk if you would like to transfer a licence and we will advise.

Variations

Changes in circumstances (variations of licence), such as a change in the person with day-to-day responsibility, need to be approved by the council. A fee will be payable to vary a licence.    

Please note, you can't vary the licence category or occupancy levels. Those variations would be subject to a new application and accompanying fee.  

Please email stl@aberdeenshire.gov.uk if you would like to vary a licence and we will advise.

Fees

The current fees are applicable until 31st March 2026.

How to pay

You can pay by either:

• making a telephone payment on 01467 539039
• visiting one of our service points

Unfortunately we are unable to accept payments by cheque or cash.