We are experts in short term lets with a diverse portfolio of exceptional properties ranging from city-centre apartments and flats, to cosy family homes.

We specialise in the Edinburgh short term market, including self-catering properties and properties for the Edinburgh Festival period - and offer a fully managed service including free appraisal, advertising, booking, and management. Our detailed local knowledge and personal approach mean that, whenever you choose to start a short term let, we will help you get the most out of your property.

Short-term lets in Edinburgh

If you operate short-term let accommodation in Edinburgh you now need a licence under new Scottish Government legislation. If the property is a second home or investment property you are also required to apply for planning permission to operate your short-term let. The whole of the City of Edinburgh Council area has been designated as a short-term let control area. The designation came into effect on 5th September 2022. The legislation has been created to make sure all accommodation meets the correct safety standards.

If you had been a short-term let host or operator before 1st October 2022, you must have submitted a licence application before the 1st October 2023 to continue operating while your application was being processed. If the property was a second home or investment, you would have also needed to apply for planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness.

If you are a new short-term let host or operator, or had missed the deadline of 1st October 2023 to apply, you are required to submit a license application and wait on the license being issued before you start operating.

Types of Licenses:

  • Home Sharing & Home Letting (the letting of your own home/ part of your home)
  • Secondary Letting (the letting of a second home or investment property)
  • Temporary License (the letting of a property for a 6 week period within the year)

Contact our Short Lets team should you wish to discuss your short term rental requirements.

Our Expertise

Short Lets Fully Managed

Our Fully Managed service covers every step of the letting process, from advertising & booking, to property management, including addressing guests’ needs for the duration of their stay.

Edinburgh Festival

Let your property during the vibrant Edinburgh festival period: we'll help you optimise your short term income with an unbeatable, specialised service.

Consultancy

Find out whether your property is suitable for the short let market: use our consultancy service to address questions & challenges, and maximise your potential rental returns.

Free Appraisal

If you're thinking about entering the short lettings market we'll help you get started with a free appraisal. To help plan ahead, we'll also provide projections of your potential 12 month rental levels.

Legislation, Safety & Compliance

The safety of your property & your tenants is always our top priority. We work closely with landlords to ensure they, and their properties, are compliant with all current legislative & safety compliance requirements.

Booking Only Service

We make it easy for landlords to take as much control of their lettings as they desire. If you want to manage your own property but don't want to arrange the tenancy, we provide a professional Booking Only service.

Why Choose Rettie

Star
RICS Membership

We deliver the highest standard of professional service for every client. Rettie is a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors which sets us apart from other agencies and demonstrates our adherence to a strict code of conduct.

Excellence
Exceptional Service & Results

We are proud of the customer service we offer and the results we deliver for our clients. Choose Rettie to find the right tenants for your short-term property and attain exceptional rent levels.

Group
An Expert Team

Our dedicated team of over 30 employees is trained in all aspects of property rental, and we offer every landlord a personalised service and an unrivalled depth of local knowledge.

Heart-o
Dedicated Support

We will be by your side through every step of the short term rental process and our dedicated portfolio managers will always be ready to help you get the most out of your property.

Testimonials

  • We are a landlord and the flat was let for the Festival. When we bought the flat we had no intention of letting it short term but economics make such a choice inevitable. Can I say I have always found Rettie's letting service to be excellent and professional: the staff are friendly and I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending them to others in the same position as ourselves.

    Nick Brown, Landlord
  • I contacted Rettie and spoke to Vanessa Rettie regarding a desk top valuation I required for a short term let property purchase. Vanessa was so quick off the mark and supplied me with all the information I needed, super efficient and all within a quick timeframe. Furthermore Vanessa was so accessible, from telephone conversations to emails. All in all, I received outstanding service. I would highly recommend using Rettie.

    Lisa Hall-Baillie, Landlord
  • Very professional indeed, communication is fantastic and no complaints what so ever. I will happily continue with Rettie.

    Jason Murray, Landlord
  • I have been corresponding with Ross Simpson about renting a flat for 10 weeks in Edinburgh. He has demonstrated infinite patience with my many questions and requests and has been very helpful.

    Ruth Sinai, Tenant
  • My partner and I were looking for an estate agency to manage our property while living abroad. Ros Mills and the team at Rettie came highly recommended and have been amazing. They have managed everything down to the smallest detail, removing the stress of becoming landlords. We cannot express how much his has helped as moving countries is pretty stressful all on its own.

    Annora Bennett, Landlord
  • I have had the best experience with Rettie. The flat was fantastic and the staff were amazing! I cannot recommend them highly enough.

    Stephanie Lewis, Tenant
  • Rettie have been a fantastic agent for securing me a great tenant and walking me through the process of renting out my property in Edinburgh. With a move overseas to manage, they have provided a 5 star service which has been hugely appreciated. Keep up the professional and personal service.

    Alice Harbison, Landlord
  • I recently bought a two bedroom flat in the city centre which required to be refurbished throughout. Rettie arranged for their contractors to estimate for the works to be carried out and upon my approval, refurbished the flat to a very high standard. Within a short period, Rettie had marketed the flat for let and found tenants. Excellent service.

    Peter Young, Landlord
    Edinburgh skyline

    Rettie Short Lets

    Rettie Short Lets is part of the Rettie group of companies and is a trusted name in the lettings market. We specialise in year-round short lets for corporate and private guests, and in Festival Lets for the month of August.