Fife Council is inviting residents to take part in a public consultation on short-term lets, seeking views on the potential introduction of Short-Term Let Control Areas across the region.

The consultation, now open, aims to gather public opinion on whether areas should be designated where planning permission would be required for short-term lets, particularly for properties that are not the owner’s main residence.

New powers introduced by the Scottish Government in April 2021 allow councils to propose such control areas, subject to government approval. If implemented, property owners offering short-term lets in these zones would need to apply for a ‘change of use’ through the planning system. This would apply only to new lets and not retrospectively.

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The council stressed that this is not a blanket ban on short-term rentals but a regulatory measure to manage them more effectively. It would allow decisions to be made in line with Fife’s local development plan and broader planning objectives.

Cllr Altany Craik, Fife Council Spokesperson for Finance, Economy and Strategic Planning, said: "Tourism is vital to our local economy, but it's equally important to balance this with the needs of our residents. Short-term lets can provide valuable accommodation options for visitors, yet they must be managed in a way that supports the community's long-term sustainability.

We need your views to ensure we strike the right balance and make informed decisions that benefit everyone."

Fife residents are encouraged to complete the online survey before the deadline on 8 September 2025.