Short-term letting in Aberdeen

Aberdeen's short-stay demand has always had a strong business component. Energy companies, contractors on rotation, the universities and the hospital bring guests who stay for several nights midweek, while leisure visitors use the city as a base for Royal Deeside, Balmoral, the castles of Aberdeenshire and the coast. That mix makes corporate-friendly flats with parking, fast internet and a proper workspace easier to fill than a purely touristic product.

Licence required, no control area

Aberdeen follows the national scheme: since 1 October 2023 every short let has needed a licence from the city council, granted before bookings are taken, with no cap on numbers. The council has chosen not to designate a short-term let control area. Instead it considers, property by property, whether a particular short let amounts to a material change of use needing planning permission. Flats in shared blocks, frequent turnover and neighbour complaints tend to weigh against the owner, so ask the planning service about a specific address before investing.

Licence conditions are the Scotland-wide set: fire risk assessment and alarms, gas and electrical certificates, a Legionella assessment, compliant furniture, insurance, an energy performance certificate displayed in adverts and a maximum occupancy. Applications are public and can attract objections, so prepare the file carefully.

A 7% levy from April 2027

Aberdeen City Council has approved a visitor levy of 7% of the accommodation cost from 1 April 2027, among the highest rates set in Scotland so far. It is added to the guest's bill and passed on by the provider. Corporate clients booking long stays will ask how it applies, so settle your pricing and invoicing before quoting 2027 dates.

Rates, council tax and stays

• Available for 140 nights and let for 70 in the financial year: the property can be rated as non-domestic, on evidence to the assessor.
• Below that, council tax applies, and Scottish councils may set second-home premiums above double the standard rate since April 2026.
• Longer stays for contractors on rotation still count as short lets unless the property becomes the guest's main home; ask the licensing team if in doubt.

Our advice

Build the offer around the working week, keep the planning position clear in writing and account for the levy early. Tell us about your Aberdeen property; we study every request and tell you honestly whether and how we can help.

Granite streets, ferries north and helicopters offshore

The airport at Dyce is also one of the busiest heliports in the world for offshore platforms, which shapes demand in a way few UK cities know. Crew changes are affected by fog and wind, so a worker due to fly out can stay two or three extra nights at short notice. A flexible extension policy and self check-in serve these guests well.

The harbour sends NorthLink ferries to Orkney and Shetland, bringing islanders on hospital visits and travellers breaking their journey. P&J Live, the arena and conference venue near the airport, hosts the major energy exhibitions and concerts.

Inside the city, each area appeals differently:

• Old Aberdeen, around King's College and the cobbled High Street, suits academic visitors.
• Footdee, the fishermen's village at the harbour mouth, and the beach esplanade attract leisure guests; dolphins can often be seen from Torry Battery.
• The West End offers larger granite townhouses for families and corporate groups.

The calendar adds Spectra, the light festival in February, and Nuart, the street art festival that has left murals across the centre. Pittodrie brings football supporters on match weekends.

Plan for dark winter afternoons: good lighting, heating that responds fast and clear arrival instructions matter more here than in southern cities.