Why self-catering etiquette matters
You’re staying in a real home, not a hotel corridor. Space and privacy come with small responsibilities: looking after the place, sorting your waste properly, keeping noise reasonable, and following local rules. Scotland now licenses short-term lets for safety and standards, so you’ll see clear guidance in your welcome notes. Treat those notes as house rules and you’ll be fine.
Do’s for a great self-catering stay
Cleaning up before check-out
Leave the home tidy. Load and run the dishwasher, wipe obvious spills, and put rubbish in the right bins. Changeover cleaning is included, but basic tidiness helps the team turn the property on time for the next guest. VisitScotland’s best-practice guidance also asks operators to give you clear pre-arrival and departure info; follow it and you’ll avoid last-minute fuss.
Using kitchen equipment responsibly
Check the house manual for appliance quirks. Use chopping boards, not the worktops. If a pan is burnt or something breaks, tell your host right away so they can fix it between bookings.
Waste disposal and recycling rules
Fife uses a four-bin system: grey for paper and cardboard, green for plastics and cans, brown for food and garden waste, and blue for general non-recyclable waste. Glass doesn’t go in household bins – take it to a nearby bottle bank or recycling point. Your collection day and “what goes where” are on Fife Council’s site and in most house manuals.
Noise levels and quiet hours
There’s no fixed “legal quiet time” in Scotland. Councils judge reasonableness at any hour. Keep music low after dark, close windows if you’re chatting late, and take parties off-site. If a neighbour raises a concern, be courteous and adjust.
Safety and fire alarms
Scottish homes must have interlinked smoke and heat alarms so all units sound together. Don’t cover or remove alarms, and never disable a detector while cooking – use the extractor or open a window instead. If an alarm chirps, report it so the battery or unit can be checked.
Pets and local beach rules
Bringing a dog. Check the booking for pet terms and stick to leads, clean-ups and any room restrictions. On West Sands, seasonal dog restrictions apply on the town-end section from 1 May to 30 September; always follow local signage. Outside those dates, normal lead and fouling rules still apply.
Don’ts to avoid in self-catering accommodation
Don’t host extra overnight guests beyond the booking. It breaches licence conditions and upsets neighbours in tight streets. Don’t smoke indoors – most lets are strictly non-smoking. Don’t move heavy furniture without permission; scratched floors and walls are hard to fix mid-season. Don’t leave food waste unbagged or bins overflowing; foxes and gulls will find it. And don’t ignore a problem. If something fails, report it quickly so your host can help.
Respecting the property and neighbours
Think like a local. Park considerately and learn your long-stay options if the property doesn’t include a private space. Fife Council lists car parks, tariffs and season-ticket options on their website. Keep hallways clear of clubs, prams and sandy kit so shared entrances stay safe. If a delivery or taxi needs to idle outside late at night, meet them at the door.
The point is simple: enjoy yourself, but let others enjoy their homes too.
Tips for a smooth departure
Set a ten-minute timer on your last morning. Empty the fridge, sort recycling, run the dishwasher, and return any moved items to where you found them. Put keys back where the instructions ask and message when you’ve left. If you broke something, be upfront – hosts deal with wear-and-tear all season and appreciate honesty. If you loved the stay, a short review helps everyone who follows.
Booking your next self-catering stay
If you like the neighbourhood, book early for peak weeks. For St Andrews, that means spring and summer golf, graduation dates, and big event weeks. Stay central if you want to walk to the Links and Market Street; look to the East Neuk for quieter nights and easy drives. For first-timers, read our pages Top Questions Guests Ask and What to Expect from a Modern Self-Catering Stay.
FAQs
Do I need to clean before leaving a self-catering property
A full changeover clean is included, but you should leave the place tidy: dishes done, bins sorted, and obvious spills wiped.
Can I invite extra guests during my stay?
Day visitors are usually fine within house rules, but overnight numbers must match your booking and the property’s licence. Extra sleepers create noise and insurance issues, so always ask first.
What should I do if something breaks?
Tell your host right away. Clear communication is key and lets teams fix things between bookings rather than delaying the next guest.
Are there quiet hours in self-catering accommodation?
There’s no set “quiet time” in law. Councils look at whether noise is reasonable and can act at any hour. Keep it low late at night and be considerate of neighbours.
How should I leave the kitchen when checking out?
Clean and tidy. Put recycling in the correct bins, bag general waste, run the dishwasher, and turn appliances off and safe.
Plan your Trip
Ready to book your next stay. Browse self-catering accommodation in St Andrews, compare central homes with East Neuk options, and read our Planning a Self-Catering Stay page for a smooth arrival.
