Fife

As of May 2026, St Andrews, Dundee, Perth have 1,586 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 1% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Fife generates £28K per year. High-performing properties earn £69K/year, while low-performing properties earn £13K/year. The stark disparity between top and bottom earners suggests that revenue potential is heavily concentrated in a select segment of the market rather than being distributed evenly across the existing supply.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Fife. Average annual revenue is £28K with 37% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to £69K/year. A 37% occupancy rate alongside declining aggregate revenue indicates that market saturation is creating more competition for a limited pool of traveler demand.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Fife is 37%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of £199, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of £53 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Fife, with annual revenue of £42K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Fife market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Fife area. St Andrews: Moderate. Scotland-wide licensing scheme requires short-term let license from Fife Council. Planning permission may be needed for change of use. Moderate enforcement with council monitoring compliance. Dundee: Moderate. Short-term let license mandatory from Dundee City Council since October 2022. Planning permission required for secondary lets. Growing enforcement activity. Perth: Moderate. Perth & Kinross Council requires short-term let license. Planning permission needed for non-primary residences. Moderate enforcement increasing. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Fife Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has grown 1% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 16%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The drop in revenue despite minimal supply growth points to a contraction in broader traveler spending or a shift in visitor preferences within the region.

Launch around May, 2-3 months before peak summer season (August peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -21% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (November-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Fife listings include: Tv (88%), Kitchen (87%), Washing Machine (85%), Heating (65%), Pets Allowed (46%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Gym, Bbq, Washing Machine, with Gym properties earning approximately 109% more (£88K/year vs £42K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Fife over the last 12 months: May: £2K, June: £2K, July: £2K, August: £2K, September: £2K, October: £2K, November: £1K, December: £1K, January: £777, February: £980, March: £1K, April: £2K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Fife is £199, up 13% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average £126/night, 2-bedroom properties average £171/night, 3-bedroom properties average £233/night, 4+ bedroom properties average £460/night. Rates peak in August and are lowest in November.

Guests in Fife book an average of 40 days in advance, down 27% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 38 days, 2-bedroom: 38 days, 3-bedroom: 42 days, 4+ bedroom: 47 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Fife Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 1%, revenue per listing decreased 16%, occupancy fell 12%, average nightly rates increased 13%, and lead time decreased 27%. These indicators reveal a market where shorter booking windows and higher prices are struggling to offset declining occupancy and total revenue.

In Fife, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 20% higher occupancy than weekdays.