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Private Landlord Registration in Scotland

Private Landlord Registration in Scotland

All private landlords who let properties in Scotland must be registered with the Scottish Landlord Register. The landlord registration aims to ensure that all private landlords in Scotland are ‘fit and proper’ to be letting residential property. The registration scheme aims to improve private renting standards in Scotland and enables individuals to identify and contact landlords and letting agents.

Do I need to register?

You will have to register if you are a private landlord letting residential property in Scotland, unless all the houses you let are covered by one or more of the exemptions. Letting part of your own home is exempt as is a house let to the tenant of an agricultural holding or croft. There are some other minor exemptions. If you are just entering the market, you should register before letting property. Please contact Clackmannanshire Council if you need to clarify your position.

Registration is mandatory and it is a criminal offence to rent out a property without being registered or having made a valid application for registration. If you rent out a property without being registered, you may be fined up to £50,000 and banned from letting properties for up to 5 years.

Exemptions from registering to rent out property include:

• Holiday lets
• Houses with a resident landlord
• Houses with agricultural and crofting tenancies
• Letting to family members
• Houses providing care services governed by Care Inspectorate regulation.

I am an agent managing private rented property - do I need to register?

If you act on behalf of an owner and if you do letting agency work in Scotland, you may also be required to register separately with the Scottish Letting Agent Register.

For further information, please visit Scottish Letting Agent Register webpage.

Getting registered

How do I register?

You can register online at Landlord Registration Scotland website.

Note that each joint owner will need to complete a separate Joint Owner application form.

All joint owners must register. A lead owner of a property cannot apply to be registered or renew an existing registration on behalf of other owners. If a joint owner fails to renew their registration in time, they must pay late application fee.

Which local authority should I register with?

You must register with each local authority in whose area you let property. If you own properties in more than one area, you will be able to apply to register in all authorities in one application. 

What information will I need to provide on applying?

• Your name and date of birth;
• Contact details;
• Addresses for the past 5 years;
• Addresses of all your rental properties;
• Details of any agents managing the property on your behalf;
• Information about any relevant unspent convictions or Court/Tribunal judgements
• A declaration that you comply with all relevant laws when letting property.

You must provide further information on repairing and tolerable standard that applies to the property. This includes information on:

• Gas safety certificate;
• Electrical installation condition report or a current electrical installation certificate;
• Electrical appliance test details;
• Fire, smoke and heat detection details;
• Carbon monoxide;
• Public water supply;
• Energy performance certificate;
• Legionella risk assessment;
• Rental property insurance;
• Common repairs;
• Tenancy deposit.

How long does the registration last?

Registration lasts for 3 years, after which you will need to apply to renew your application. If you stop being a landlord during that time, you must contact the Council to let us know that your circumstances have changed and that you wish to be removed from the register.

Registration Fees

The current fee for landlord registration for the 3-year period is:

• Principal application with a single local authority fee: £85
• Property fee: £20 per let property
• Late application fee: £170

For further information on fees, including discounts and exceptions, please visit Scottish Landlord Register website.

For further guidance and information, please visit the Scottish Government webpage.