Local authorities in Scotland are legally obliged to introduce a licensing scheme for properties operating as short-term lets.

And under the new Civic Government Scotland Act 1982 (Licensing of Short Term Lets) Order 2022, all short-term lets must be licensed by July 2024.

There are four types of licence for short-term lets accommodation:

• Secondary letting - The letting of property where you do not normally live, for example a second home that is let to guests
• Home letting - Using all or part of your own home for short-term lets, while you are absent. An example of this could be while you are on holiday
• Home sharing - Using all or part of your own home for short-term lets, while you are there
• Home letting and home sharing - Operating short-term lets from your own home while you are living there and for periods when you are absent

The online engagement process asks a number of questions around the proposed new short-term lets policy statement and additional conditions for a licence.

Among the topics are proposed fees, occupancy levels and children, the introduction of temporary licences and temporary exemptions.

The council is also proposing a number of additional conditions covering several specific areas of lets including antisocial behaviour, noise, waste collection and disposal, failure to maintain common areas and guest safety.

The consultation runs from now until October 7 and can be accessed via the Engage Aberdeenshire online platform here.