Taking your landlord to the tribunal
If you have a dispute with your private landlord or letting agent, you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber).
How to apply to the tribunal
In your application, give as much detail as you can about the problem, how long it’s been going on for, and what you want the tribunal to do.
Give evidence of the problem and any steps you've taken to solve it.
There's a different form for each type of application. You can make more than one application at the same time.
Click the reason you're applying for guidance on the application process.
Your landlord will not do repairs
You can apply if your home does not meet the repairing standard. You can only apply during your tenancy.
The tribunal can order your landlord to do the repairs, and in some cases to pay you compensation.
Before applying
You must report all the repairs to your landlord and give them a chance to fix the problem.
Use our letter template for reporting repairs
Applying
Download Form A on the tribunal website.
If you rent from a letting agency, write the landlord's details in section 6 and the letting agency's details in section 7.
If you need more help
Check our advice on going to the tribunal for repair problems.
Your deposit was not protected
When your tenancy starts, your landlord must protect your deposit in a deposit scheme within 30 working days.
If they've failed to do this, the tribunal must order them to pay you compensation. This can be up to 3 times the amount of the deposit.
You can apply during your tenancy, or up to 3 months after your tenancy has ended.
Applying for compensation
Download Form G and the Notes on Completing Form G on the tribunal website.
If you rent from a letting agency, write the landlord's details in section 3 and the letting agency's details in section 4.
In section 7a, write 'rule 103'.
Getting your deposit back
If your deposit was not returned after you moved out, you can also apply to the tribunal to get it back.
Download Form F and the Notes on Completing Form F on the tribunal website.
In section 5a, write:
'rule 111' if you had a private residential tenancy
'rule 70' if you had an assured tenancy
If you need more help
Check our advice on going to the tribunal for deposit problems.
You have problems with your letting agent
Letting agents must follow the letting agent code of practice.
If your letting agent has broken any of the rules, the tribunal can order them to put it right. They could also be ordered to pay you compensation.
You can apply any time during your tenancy or after your tenancy has ended.
Before applying
You must write to your letting agent to tell them what rules you think they've broken, and give them a chance to resolve the problem.
Applying
Download Form J and the Notes on Completing Form J on the tribunal website.
In section 6a, write the paragraph numbers from the letting agent code of practice that your letting agent has broken.
If you need more help
Check our advice on complaining about your letting agency.
Your landlord did not give you the right tenancy agreement
Your landlord must give you a written tenancy agreement. The rules depend on when you moved in.
If you moved in on or after 1 December 2017
Your landlord must give you a private residential tenancy agreement together with specific notes.
If they refuse, the tribunal can order them to give you the right agreement. You could also get up to 6 months' rent in compensation.
Before applying, you must give your landlord 28 days' notice that you're going to the tribunal. Use the form on mygov.scot to notify them.
Download Form D and the Notes on Completing Form D on the tribunal website.
For more help, check our advice on getting your landlord to give you a private residential tenancy.
If you moved in before 1 December 2017
If you were never given a tenancy agreement, you have an assured tenancy. The tribunal can order the landlord to give you a written agreement.
Download Form G and read the Notes on Completing Form G on the tribunal website.
In section 7a, write 'rule 68'.
You were illegally evicted
Your landlord must follow a strict legal process if they want to evict you.
If they forced you to leave without following the right process, the tribunal can order them to pay you compensation.
This type of application can be complicated. Consider getting legal advice before applying.
Applying
If you have a private residential tenancy, download Form F and the Notes on Completing Form F on the tribunal website. In section 7a, write 'rule 111'.
If you have an assured tenancy or a short assured tenancy, download Form G and the Notes on Completing Form G from the tribunal's website. In section 7a, write 'rule 69'.
If you need more help
Check our advice on illegal eviction.
Your landlord gave false information on your eviction notice
You can apply to the tribunal if:
you had a private residential tenancy
your landlord sent you a notice to leave
you moved out by the date on the notice to leave, or the tribunal granted an eviction order
the reason or ground they used on your eviction notice was false
The tribunal can order your landlord to pay you compensation. This is called a wrongful termination order.
You can apply any time after your tenancy has ended.
Applying
Download Form G and the Notes on Completing Form G on the tribunal website.
In section 7a, write 'rule 110'.
If you need more help
Check our advice on applying for a wrongful termination order.
If you want to apply for a different reason
You could make a civil proceedings application.
You'll need to tell the tribunal what action you want them to take. For example, if you want to ask for compensation, say how much and why.
Applying
Download Form F and the Notes on Completing Form F on the tribunal website.
In section 5a, write:
'rule 111' if you have a private residential tenancy
'rule 70' if you have an assured or short assured tenancy
If you need more help
For compensation claims, check our advice on getting compensation from your landlord.
If you're not sure whether the tribunal can solve your problem, get advice from Shelter Scotland. An adviser can help you work out your rights.
If you do not know your landlord's address
Check the Scottish landlord register
If you rent from a letting agency, ask them in writing for your landlord's address. They must send you this within 21 days.
Tell the tribunal if you still cannot get your landlord's address. They'll tell you what steps to take.
If you have access needs
Download the inclusive provision questionnaire to tell the tribunal about your needs. For example, if you need an induction loop or an interpreter.
Where to send your application and evidence
You can send your form and evidence by email or post.
Email: HPCAdmin@scotcourtstribunals.gov.uk
Post: Glasgow Tribunals Centre, 20 York Street, Glasgow, G2 8GT
If you're sending a lot of evidence, include a list that explains what each document is and how it relates to your application.
If you’re making multiple applications
Send a separate email or letter for each application, even if they relate to the same problem.
Provide a new copy of the evidence with each application.
Last updated: 13 June 2023
Housing laws differ between Scotland and England.
This content applies to Scotland only.