Crofters' rights and responsibilities
This content applies to Scotland only.
Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England
Crofting tenants have secure rights to stay on their land, but they also have a responsibility to use the land well. This section explains more.
Crofters' rights and responsibilities are set out in the Crofting Acts. The most important Acts are the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993, the Crofting Reform etc Act 2007 and the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010
Your rights and responsibilities will be listed in your tenancy agreement or contract. Your tenancy agreement may list other rights and responsibilities which don't come from the Crofting Acts, but which you and your landlord have agreed between you. In addition, you may agree to opt out of some rights. If you do not have a written tenancy agreement or contract, you will still have the rights and responsibilities set out in the Crofting Acts.
If you're interested in taking on a croft, you can find out more here.
The Scottish Government is in the process of reforming the crofting system. You can find out more about crofting reform here.
Crofters' rights
This page explains your rights if you rent a croft from a landowner. Your rights are set out in law, in the Crofting Acts, and are written down in your tenancy agreement.
Crofting subtenants' rights
This page explains your rights if you're a subtenant, renting a croft house or croft land from a crofting tenant.
Crofters' responsibilities
Taking on a crofting tenancy is a big responsibility, and there are certain terms and conditions you must stick to as a crofter if you want to retain your tenancy. These are set down in the Crofting Acts, and are known as 'statutory conditions'.
Crofters' right to buy
Crofting tenants have the right to buy their croft house and garden, and the right to apply to buy the entire croft land. This page explains more.
