Scotland’s route map for easing out of lockdown restrictions was published on 21 May 2020.

This guidance outlines how the phases in the route map apply to second homes.

Please keep up to date with this and all Scottish Government guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and follow the latest health, hygiene and physical distancing requirements.

This guidance applies to second homes across Scotland but please bear in mind that there might be local travel or access restrictions that affect your second home.  Please check that you will be able to complete your journey before setting out.

Emergencies

You can travel to a second home to deal with an emergency, for example a mains water leak or break-in.  Once there, you may remain there, but you should only do so for as long as is reasonably necessary to deal with the emergency.

Security and checks

From 29 June 2020, you can travel to a second home to check that it is secure and in good condition.  Once there, you may remain there, but you should stay only for as long as is reasonably necessary to undertake these checks.

Upkeep and maintenance

You can ask tradespeople local to your second home to do external upkeep and maintenance work (e.g. roof or guttering repairs).  You should not travel to do this yourself before 29 June 2020.

From 29 June 2020, you can travel to your second home for this reason.  Once there, you may remain there, but you should only stay for as long as is reasonably necessary to undertake the work yourself or, preferably, allow someone to do this for you.

Upkeep and maintenance includes, for example, repairing roof or gutters, dealing with damp, mowing the lawn and attending to paint work.  However, it does not extend to building an extension or refitting a bathroom or kitchen, unless this was a necessary consequence of repair work.

Leisure

You cannot yet visit a second home for leisure purposes.

From 3 July 2020, we anticipate that you can travel to and stay in your second home for this reason, providing it requires no shared facilities between households.

Letting out a second home to others

You cannot yet let out a second home to others.

From 3 July 2020, we anticipate that you can let out your home to others to stay for leisure purposes, providing it requires no shared facilities between households.

Selling a second home

Before 29 June 2020, home moves are only permitted where reasonably necessary.

From 29 June 2020, you are able to sell your second home. See our revised home moves guidance for more information about selling residential property.

Moving into a second home

Before 29 June 2020, home moves are only permitted where reasonably necessary.

From 29 June 2020, you can move into your second home to live there permanently. See our revised home moves guidance.  You may want to do this to work there.  But you should not be travelling between your two homes unless you have a reasonable excuse to do so.

Using a second home to quarantine when returning from abroad

You are only allowed to leave a place to travel where you have a reasonable excuse.  You should only use a second home for quarantine purposes where you consider you have a reasonable excuse not to return to your primary residence.

If you live outside Scotland

Activities relating to second homes in Scotland are bound by Scots law and guidance, irrespective of where you are travelling from.  You must also comply with any relevant rules in your country of origin and countries through which you travel.

Insurance

The insurance industry appears to be taking a pragmatic approach on cover for properties left unoccupied for longer because of COVID-19 restrictions.  But you should contact your own insurer to confirm your position.  The Scottish Government cannot advise you on this.

Council tax

If you have any questions or complaints about council tax or other charges in respect of your second home, please contact the council in whose area your home is located.  Please bear in mind that councils are exceptionally busy at this time responding to the COVID-19 crisis.

Any references to staying as long as reasonably necessary includes overnight stays.  For example, if it would not be safe for you to complete your journey in one day, or your upkeep and maintenance work cannot be completed in one day, then you may stay overnight for the minimum number of nights necessary.

Source: Scottish Government