Friday March 6th 2026
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Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Fewer than 20 people took part on a consultation over introducing temporary licences to rent out homes during major events in East Lothian.
The public consultation asked whether the local authority should be able to grant people the right to rent out their homes during occasions including the Scottish Open without having to apply for a permanent short term let licence.
A report to a meeting of East Lothian Council’s licensing sub committee next week will say the majority of those who took part were in favour of temporary licences or exemptions being available.
But it also states that the consultation, which ran in January this year, only received 19 responses from the public.
The report reveals there are 515 licensed short term lets across East Lothian with more than half in the seaside town of North Berwick.
It states there are three other local authorities in Scotland who already offer temporary licences and exemptions including Edinburgh where there are more than 4,300 short term let licences issued.
Last summer, it stated the capital issued 155 temporary licences and 284 temporary exemptions.
The report calls on East Lothian councillors to consider following in Edinburgh’s footsteps by considering introducing exemptions and temporary licences to its offerings which could be in place before next summer.
Reasons for exemptions or temporary licences could be for people who are unsure whether they want to operate an STL permanently, to support visitors during major events including the Scottish open and Fringe by the Sea, or for residents who live away from their home for short periods of the year.
The report stated only three of the 19 people who took part in the consultation said they were short-term let operators with nine describing themselves as East Lothian residents.
When asked if the council should offer temporary licences, over 68 per cent (13) said they should and 73 per cent (14) said temporary exemptions should also be allowed.
Councillors will decide whether to add the temporary options to licensing at a meeting next week.
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