Glasgow Airbnb Rules
Is Airbnb legal in Glasgow?
Don’t worry, Airbnb is legal in Glasgow! But if you’re thinking on hosting in this city, you’d know that there are some strict regulations that you need to follow in order to host legally there.
Currently, there are 2,499 Airbnb listings in Glasgow, with 68% of entire houses earning up to £2,501 a month. The average occupancy rate in Glasgow is 66% and the average daily rate is £120. According to short-term rental data source Airbtics, a 2-bedroom apartment in Glasgow can make up to £43,513 each year.
Short-term rentals policy in Glasgow
In Glasgow hosts will need to get a license to operate their Airbnb rental. Existing hosts will have until 1st April 2023 to apply for a license and all short-term lets must be licensed by 1st April 2024. Those who apply for a license would be required to pay between £125 and £400. According to Glasgow World, the license price varies depending on how many guests can a property host as well as if it’s a primary or secondary letting.
- To apply for a license, owners must provide the following documentation:
- Planning Permission or a Certificate of Lawfulness
- Floor/Layout Plan
- Evidence of Operation as a STL before 1 October 2022
- If the applicant is not the owner of the let, they are required to provide a consent from the owner(s)
- Hosts that have more that one property will need a separate licence for each of them, whether or not they are in the same licensing authority area.
- The regulations forbid short-term rental in flats located to a close with a communal entrance and facilities. However, hosts can rent an individual room in their flat only if they also live there and therefore planning permission is unlikely to be required.
- If the property listed for Airbnb is not the host’s main residence, then they’re required to apply for a Change of Use planning permission from Glasgow local authority.
- Short-term rentals will generally be allowed if they’re located in areas with active travel routes and high accessibility. Hosts will also need to demonstrate that the property won’t have adverse impact on the character, amenities, traffic congestion and parking of the area.
Hosts can use this tool to check whether or not they need a licence, and which type of licence they require.
References: Glasgow STR Policy | Glasgow City Council’s Supplementary Guidance
STL Control Areas
In Scotland, local authorities can designate control areas to manage high concentrations of short-term lets. Hosts with a property located within a control area must get a planning permission to get a license. However, currently there are no control areas planned in Glasgow.
