Repairs in private rented accommodation

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 section explains the rights you have if you are a private tenant and your home needs repairs. It explains who has responsibility for different types of repairs and what you can do if your landlord refuses to carry out repairs that they are responsible for.

If you are having problems because of disrepair in your home, you can get further advice from a housing aid centre, Citizens Advice Bureau, your local council or other local advice centre. Use the Advice Services Directory to find agencies that can help.

Responsibility for repairs

This page provides information about which types of repairs private landlords are responsible for, and which are the tenant's responsibility. By law, your landlord must keep your home up to a basic level of repair, known as the 'repairing standard'. Read more 

Getting repairs done

This page explains what you need to do if your rented accommodation needs repairs to be done. It explains how you can get your landlord to accept responsibility for repairs and carry them out properly, and outlines steps you can take if they refuse. Read more 

Furniture and equipment

If you rent furnished accommodation, your landlord is responsible for replacing or mending fittings, furniture and equipment that have broken or become unusable or unsafe through everyday wear and tear. Read more 

Private rented housing panel

If your home doesn't reach a certain standard of repair and your landlord won't do the work, you can apply to the private rented housing panel (PRHP). If the PRHP thinks you have a case, it will pass your application to the private rented housing committee (PRHC). It will look into the situation and can order your landlord to carry out the repairs. Read more 

Help from the council

If the state of your home is affecting your health, the environmental health department of your local council may be able to help you take action. This page explains the kind of problems the environmental health department can deal with and how it can help you. It also explains what you can do if the local council won't help you. Read more 

While repairs are being done

This page looks at problems which may arise while repairs are being carried out, including what you can do if the repairs are disruptive, or if you have to move out while repairs are being done. Read more 

Repairs not done properly

This section explains what you can do if repair work is not carried out properly. Read more 

Doing repairs yourself

This page explains what you need to do if you have to arrange for repairs to be carried out yourself. This may be because you are responsible for the damage or because your landlord is refusing to do the repairs. Read more