The visitor levy on cleaning fees and long stays
Edinburgh levies the first five nights of a stay. A cleaning fee charged once per stay is levied in full; a fee charged per night only for the nights levied.
A flat cleaning fee
Standard cleaning is part of the accommodation, unless guests can genuinely choose not to have it. A fee charged regardless of how long the stay is gets levied in full (guidance page 8).
| First 5 of 7 nights at £100 | £500.00 |
|---|---|
| Cleaning fee, once per stay | £70.00 |
| Levied amount | £570.00 |
| Rate | 5% |
| Levy | £28.50 |
A cleaning fee charged per night
Only the nights that are levied count: here, £10 a night for the first five nights.
| First 5 of 7 nights at £100 | £500.00 |
|---|---|
| Cleaning, £10 for each of 5 nights | £50.00 |
| Levied amount | £550.00 |
| Rate | 5% |
| Levy | £27.50 |
Long stays with different nightly prices
Use the actual price of the first five nights, not an average across the stay (guidance page 8). If the first nights cost more, the levy is higher than an average would suggest.
From the councils’ own guidance, checked November 2026: City of Edinburgh Council, Glasgow City Council. An explanation, not tax advice: check your council’s guidance before you charge or file.