Short Lets for Landlords

Short Let FAQs for Landlords

• Are properties for festival lets handled differently from standard short lets?

  Festival lets require an event-focused service due to higher demand and turnover. We'll tailor our marketing, pricing and management accordingly while still providing full short-let compliance and support.

• How can I start letting my property for short-term or festival lets?

  Simply contact the Rettie Short Lets team and we'll guide you through licensing, compliance, pricing and presentation.

• How do I get a free appraisal for short-term letting?

  We offer a free appraisal to assess your property's earning potential. Our short let specialists will review location, demand and seasonal factors to give you clear guidance.

• What areas do you serve for short-term rentals in Scotland?

  We manage short-term lets across Edinburgh only.

• What licence do I need to operate a short-term let in Scotland?

  You must have a valid Short-Term Let Licence from your local council before taking bookings. We can advise you on the application process and required documentation.

• What do I need to do first to become a Short Lets Landlord?

  Get in touch and let us know your requirements. A member of the Rettie team will meet you at your property to talk through our services. They will also give you feedback to help you prepare your property for a short-let rental.

• Do you provide a free appraisal?

  We provide a free property appraisal to assess the potential of your property as a short let. We will then advise you on how much you should charge to rent the property.

• What scope of services do you offer?

  We can let your property for a minimum of a month. We can also manage continuous bookings of several months in length. Our service is adaptable. We can fully manage your short let for you, taking care of guests as they check in and providing 24-hour maintenance support. Or, if you wish to be more hands on, we can provide a booking-only service.

• What is my property likely to rent for?

  This is very much a case-by-case issue. We will provide a rental estimate in line with the location, size and condition of your property.

• What should my property be like?

  Short-let properties should offer a home-from-home feeling for guests. Your property must be structurally sound, in good order and clean. There should be reliable heating and hot water.

• What should be provided in the kitchen?

  The kitchen or kitchen area should be provided with a good range of kitchen utensils, crockery and small electrical appliances, so that tenants can cook for themselves if necessary.

• Do I need to provide Wi-Fi?

  Yes - guests are unlikely to book accommodation without it.

• Do I need to provide linen and towels?

  Yes - beds should be freshly made, with a change of linen provide for each bed, and two towels per guest.

• Do I need insurance?

  You must arrange landlord insurance for shorts lets.

• What health and safety issues should I be aware of?

  As a landlord you are legally required to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and landlord gas safety certificate (if there is a gas supply to the property).
  
  It is strongly recommended for landlords to have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). As part of the EICR you must ensure that all the portable electrical appliances you supply have undergone Portable Appliance Testing.
  
  You must ensure the property has the number of smoke, fire and heat detectors required by law. All alarms and detectors should be interlinked and ceiling mounted. They should either be mains-operated or powered by tamper-proof long-life lithium batteries.
  
  You must ensure that Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector[s] are fitted in each room where there is a gas appliance.
  
  You must carry out risk assessments for Legionnaire’s disease and implement any necessary risk-reduction measures.

• Do I need to provide an inventory?

  It is your responsibility as owner to provide a clear, up-to-date and full inventory of your property. You will also need to check off the contents of your property against the inventory at the end of each let. To help, we can instruct a specialist inventory company to produce an initial inventory.

• How does payment work?

  We take a deposit against every booking. Rental payment is then taken prior to the guest’s stay at the property.

• When do I get paid?

  You are paid as soon as the deposit has been returned to the tenant. If the booking is a rolling month-to-month booking you will be paid at the end of each month.

• As a landlord, how does the Edinburgh Visitor Levy affect my short let property?

  From 1 October 2025, bookings for stays in Edinburgh beginning 24 July 2026 or later will be subject to the Visitor Levy. Any bookings confirmed and paid (in full or in part) before 1 October 2025 will be exempt.