Useful links for landlords

This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. This page applies to Scotland only. Get advice relating to England

This page contains further information for landlords on accreditation schemes and good practice, landlord and letting agent associations and changes in the law.

General information

You can find out more about the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants at:

Good practice

Communities Scotland has produced a useful good practice for private landlords, which provides advice on all aspects of being a landlord from tenancy management to repairs. The guidance also includes a model tenancy agreement. You can download the guidance here.

Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

If you rent out a property to three or more tenants who aren't members of the same family, you will need to get an HMO licence from the council. Before it can grant you a licence, the council must establish that you are a fit and proper person, and that the property is well managed and reaches certain standards. The Scottish Government has produced an HMO guide for landlords, which explains your responsibilities.

Landlord accreditation schemes

Landlord accreditation schemes offer landlords and letting agents a chance to promote themselves as responsible property managers providing well-run accommodation. The schemes also give tenants a more informed choice when choosing a landlord, helping them to access better standards of accommodation and avoid problems in the future. In the event that their landlord fails to reach the required standard, landlord accreditation schemes also offer tenants a route to redress through a formal complaints and resolution process.

Landlord accreditation schemes have been set up in the following council areas:

The schemes in Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire have now ceased operation and the majority of members have been transferred into Landlord Accreditation Scotland (see below).

Landlord Accreditation Scotland

Landlord Accreditation Scotland (LAS) is a scheme run by landlords for landlords to promote best practice in the private rented sector in Scotland. You can find out more about LAS here.

Guidance

You can download the Communities Scotland guide to setting up an accreditation scheme here (PDF).

Landlord associations

Joining a landlords' association means that you have access to advice and support services to help you in your business as a landlord. These are some of the main bodies operating in Scotland.

Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL)

SAL is recognised by the Scottish Government as the official body representing private landlords in Scotland. Membership is open to all responsible private landlords in Scotland, no matter how small or large their property portfolios may be. Membership has many benefits, including the use of a free legal helpline.
www.scottishlandlords.com

Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA)

The SRPBA represents the role and interests of those involved with rural property and businesses connected with the land, including landlords.
www.srpba.com

National Landlords Association Scotland

The National Landlords Association (NLA) exists to protect and promote the interests of residential landlords operating in the private rented sector throughout the country.
www.landlords.org.uk/scotland

Landlord registration

All landlords in Scotland must register with their local authorities.

Letting agent associations

If you decide to use a letting agent to help you rent out your property, make sure they are a member of a recognised association or scheme, such as ARLA or NALS.

Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)

ARLA is the professional and regulatory body for letting agents in the UK. The ARLA Code of Practice, which all members must adhere to, sets high standards for tenancy and property management. Any complaints about a member can be taken to ARLA.
www.arla.co.uk

National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS)

The National Approved Letting Scheme is an accreditation scheme for lettings and management agents. Members must agree to meet defined standards of customer service, and have in place the necessary insurances to protect clients' money. NALS also operates a customer complaints procedure offering independent redress.
www.nalscheme.co.uk

The law

The legal duties of landlords are set to change over the next few, following the introduction of new provisions in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. These changes include:

  • new duties to make adjustments for disabled people (introduced in December 2006)
  • a new repairing standard, and the introduction of the Private Rented Housing Panel (PRHP), which will give tenants a new way of ensuring their landlords carry out essential repairs (introduced in September 2007)
  • changes to the way that houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) are licensed (due in 2011)
  • new measures to protect tenants' deposits (due in 2011).

In addition, under EU law, landlords must provide prospective tenants interested in renting their property with an energy performance certificate. This gives the property an energy efficiency rating and suggests ways in which energy efficiency could be improved. You can find out more about energy performance certificates at the Scottish Government's home report website.

Guide to the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006


Back to top

  • Printer friendly

Join us now

Make a difference – sign up as a Shelter campaigner.