Private landlords and antisocial behaviour
This content applies to Scotland only.
Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England
Most owners and landlords of privately rented properties must register with the council and take responsibility for antisocial behaviour that occurs in properties that they rent out. Councils can make private landlords take reasonable action to deal with antisocial behaviour caused by their tenants or by people visiting properties that they rent out.
Find out more about landlord registration.
Landlords' responsibility for antisocial behaviour
Private landlords must take responsibility for antisocial behaviour that happens in or around the properties they rent out. This means that if tenants in your area are causing trouble, their landlord should try to put a stop to it. If they don't, the council can take action to sort the situation out.
Rent penalty notices and orders
If your landlord is issued with a rent penalty notice (RPNs) or rent payable order (RPOs), they won't be allowed to collect any rent, or any other money, from the tenant or occupier of the house being rented out. This system is aimed at the landlord and not at the tenants. RPNs and RPOs are issued for different reasons but they have same practical effect on you as the tenant.
Antisocial behaviour notices
If a private tenant, a member of their household or a visitor at their home is behaving in an antisocial way, and the landlord who is responsible for the property is not doing anything to deal with that behaviour, the local council can send the landlord an antisocial behaviour notice (ASBN) ordering them to deal with the problem.
Management control orders
If a private landlord does not take steps to prevent antisocial behaviour in their properties, the council can apply for a management control order and take over the running of the property. This means the council will be responsible for collecting rent, carrying out repairs and other landlord responsibilities.
