Scotland short-term let contractor licensing 2026
New short-term rental rules hit property maintenance firms in Scotland 2026. Track licences, jobs, and compliance inside Toolfy.
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Scotland short-term let contractor licensing 2026
From March 2026, every short-term let (STR) property in Scotland must have a licence number, and contractors servicing those properties must prove they understand the new rules. If you handle maintenance, cleaning, or compliance visits, here’s how to adapt Toolfy.
1. Licensing basics
- Hosts must display licence IDs on all bookings and signage.
- Councils can require proof that contractors (cleaners, maintenance teams) are insured and understand safety obligations.
- Jobs done without logging the licence could expose you to fines.
2. Toolfy data fields to add
- Create custom fields on customer records for
STR licence ID,Council, andExpiry date. - Tag jobs with the same licence ID, so reports show revenue per property.
- Require photos of the licence notice during each visit; store in job attachments.
3. Compliance workflows
- Build a checklist for STR visits covering fire alarms, CO detectors, emergency lighting, and guest info folders.
- Add a reminder rule that blocks scheduling if the licence is expired; send a reminder email to the host with renewal steps.
- Store copies of host insurance, gas safety certificates, and electrical reports in Toolfy Documents
/Clients/STR/<licence>.
4. Communication templates
- Email template for hosts: “Please provide your licence ID before we service your property.”
- Reminder template: “Your licence expires in 30 days; we can’t attend jobs after [date] without proof of renewal.”
- All templates live in Documents so anyone handling bookings can reply quickly.
5. Timeline
| Date | Action | | --- | --- | | December 2025 | Audit your STR client list; collect licence IDs and upload proof. | | January 2026 | Update Toolfy forms + reminder rules; train staff on the new fields. | | February 2026 | Run a mock job to ensure licence photos + checklists are captured. | | March 2026 | Enforce “no licence, no booking” rule via Toolfy scheduler. |
Need the STR checklist or reminder snippet? Email support@toolfy.io and we’ll drop them into your workspace.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This guide is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional advice of any kind (legal, financial, tax, insurance, or otherwise).
Before making business decisions: Consult with qualified professionals (solicitors, accountants, insurance brokers, etc.) who can assess your specific circumstances. Laws, regulations, and industry standards change frequently and vary by location and situation.
Toolfy and the article authors accept no liability for decisions made or actions taken based on information provided in this guide. You are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do contractors need to know about Scotland's short-term let licensing?
What data should contractors collect from STR hosts?
How do I ensure compliance for short-term let property visits?
Need this workflow in Toolfy?
Spin up the exact checklist, scripts, and automations from this article inside your workspace.
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