Landlord Accreditation Scotland
This content applies to Scotland only.
Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. This page applies to Scotland only. Get advice relating to England
If you're looking for a place to rent, it's a good idea to ensure that the landlord is accredited by Landlord Accreditation Scotland. This means that they offer good quality accommodation and operate to higher standards than other landlords and letting agents.
What is accreditation?
The aim of Landlord Accreditation Scotland (LAS) is to raise standards in the private rented sector by encouraging landlords to maintain and manage their properties to a high standard.
To become accredited, landlords and letting agents must stick to the 'Scottish Core Standards for Accredited Landlords'. The standards relate to property management and the physical condition of properties.
What are the core standards?
The core standards cover issues such as the following:
- Communication - for example, your landlord must supply you with information about your tenancy in plain English.
- Equality - your landlord cannot discrimination against you in any way.
- Complaints - your landlord must tell you how to make a complaint about their service.
- Deposits - for example, your landlord must give you a written statement explaining what your deposit covers and what you need to do to get it back.
- Repairs - for example, the property must meet the repairing standard, and repairs must be carried out within a reasonable amount of time.
- Energy efficiency - the property must be sufficiently well insulated, and have an efficient, safe and economical to run heating system and energy efficient hot water supply.
- Safety - for example, your landlord must provide smoke alarms.
You can find out more about the standards by visiting the LAS website or by contacting the LAS office on 0131 553 2211.
What are the benefits of renting from an accredited landlord or letting agent?
Benefits include:
- good quality accommodation
- repairs undertaken within agree timescales
- provision of information and advice regarding your tenancy
- copy of a tenant information pack
- assurance that your landlord operates to high management standards
- confidence that your landlord or letting agent is professional and reputable
- a means for making complaints about your landlord, should anything go wrong.
How do I find an accredited landlord or letting agent?
When you're looking for a place to rent, check for the Landlord Accreditation Scotland logo on property adverts or in letting agents' windows. Letting agents should also have a copy of their accreditation certificate on display in their office.
Before you agree to rent a property from an accredited landlord or letting agent, ask to see their Accreditation Certificate. You can also ask for a copy of the core standards, which explain the quality standards with which your landlord must comply.
If you're in any doubt, contact Landlord Accreditation Scotland they we will confirm whether the landlord or letting agent is accredited.
What if I want to make a complaint about an accredited landlord or letting agent?
All accredited landlords and letting agents should have their own formal complaints procedure, so if you're not happy with the service you're receiving or you don't believe the core standards are being met, you should first raise the issue with your landlord or letting agent using that process. They should provide you with information about their complaints process when you take on your tenancy.
If you're not happy with the way your landlord or letting agent deals with your complaint, you can take the matter to LAS. You must make your complaint to LAS in writing, either in a letter, by email or via the online form at the LAS website.
You must include in your letter or email:
- the name of your landlord or letting agent
- information about the complaint or dispute
- any steps you've taken to bring this complaint or dispute to your landlord or letting agent's notice
- how long the dispute or problem has been going on for
- how you'd like the issue to be resolved
- your name, address and telephone number (LAS can't accept anonymous complaints).
If LAS discovers that your landlord has breached the core standards in any way, they will work with them to put the problem right. They can also suspend or remove their accreditation, and report them to other authorities, such as the council or the police.
You can find out more about complaining to LAS at the LAS website.
