Private landlord registration

If you rent out property, you must register as a landlord. When you apply or renew, you need to give us key details about you and your property. This helps us check that you are a fit and proper person to let homes and that you meet legal standards. You also need to keep this information up to date. You can apply, renew or update your details using the online landlord registration system.

What you need to provide

When you register or renew, you must confirm that your property and management meet legal requirements. You should have evidence ready if we ask for it.

• Tolerable and repairing standards – landlords should be aware of their duties
• Gas safety – all rental properties that use gas, must have a current gas safety certificate 
• Electrical safety – all rental properties must have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) 
• Electrical appliance test – all rental properties with portable appliances, supplied by the landlord, including white goods, must have a Portable Appliance Test (PAT) 
• Fire, smoke and heat detection – all rental properties must have adequate smoke and heat detection 
• Carbon monoxide detection – all rental properties with a gas supply, or a solid fuel appliance must have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector 
• Private water supply – landlords with a private water supply to their property must tell their tenants about this and risk assess and test the water supply to make sure it's safe to drink. Scottish Water supply the majority of properties in Scotland; only 3% of properties in Scotland have a private water supply 
• Energy performance – all rental properties with a few exemptions must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) 
• Legionella risk assessment – all rental properties must have a risk assessment carried out, and landlords must tell their tenants about the risks of legionella and give advice on how to minimise these risks 
• Rental property insurance – all rental flats or properties in a block must have adequate insurance in place 
• Common repairs - all landlords must be aware of their obligations surrounding communal repairs
• Tenancy deposits – Where a deposit is taken it must be lodged within a deposit scheme and landlords should be aware of and have met their tenancy deposit obligation

Why we ask for this information

The law requires landlords to give this information under the Private Landlord Registration (Information) (Scotland) Regulations 2019.

It helps us:

• check that landlords meet legal duties
• improve housing standards
• make sure properties are safe for tenants

You are not being asked to do anything new. You are confirming that you already meet your legal responsibilities.

Being a fit and proper person

To be registered, you (and any agent acting for you) must be a fit and proper person to let property.

We will consider whether you have:

• committed offences involving fraud, dishonesty, violence, drugs or discrimination, firearms or sexual offences
• practised unlawful discrimination in business
• broken housing or landlord and tenant laws
• failed to deal with antisocial behaviour in your property

We also look at any letting agents you use and how they manage your property.

Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 Section 87 also states the following:

87 Duty of registered person to provide information to local authority

1. This section applies where a person is registered by a local authority.

2. If in consequence of a change in circumstances any information provided by the person to the local authority by virtue of section 83(1) or, as the case may be, this subsection, becomes inaccurate, the person shall, as soon as practicable after the inaccuracy arises, give notice in writing to the authority of the change that has occurred.

3. Subject to subsection (4), any notice given under subsection (2) shall be accompanied by such fee as the local authority may determine. 

4. The Scottish Ministers may by regulations prescribe for the purposes of subsection (3) - 

(a) fees

(b) how fees are to be arrived at

(c) cases in which no fee shall be payable 

5. A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence.

6. A person guilty of an offence under subsection (5) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

What happens next

Once you apply or renew:

1. we review your information
2. we may ask for evidence
3. we decide if you are a fit and proper person to be registered

You must not let property if you are not registered.

Take action

• apply or renew your registration through the online landlord portal
• check your certificates are current before you apply
• update your details if anything changes

If you are unsure what you need, contact us for help.