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The system is designed to make sure all landlords meet minimum standards and can remove the worst landlords from the sector. It will allow tenants and neighbours to identify and contact landlords of private rented property and provide information on the scale and distribution of let properties in Scotland.

Once approved the registration lasts for 3 years.

Contact Details and how to apply

You can apply for .

You can also download the application forms at the bottom of this page.

Please note that once you have made your application you must ensure that your details are kept up to date. If any of the details provided with regard to this application change it is your responsibility to notify the Private Landlord Registration Team, Regulatory ߣsir��Ƶ in the Local Authorities to which you have applied. This can be done

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• in writing to the Private Landlord Registration Team of the Local Authority; or
• via the Council Tax Change of Address Form on the ߣsir��Ƶ and Bute Council Website.

Failure to notify a change constitutes an offence under the Act. 

To request a paper application form, if you have a query or if you require assistance please contact Private Landlord Registration.

The information you supply will be used for the purpose for which you have provided it, and appropriate measures are in place to protect your personal data.  A full privacy notice, which provides information about your rights under current data protection legislation and details about what will happen to your personal data can be found here:

• Privacy Notice - Landlord Registration

Eligibility Criteria

All private landlords (not covered by the exemptions) including any joint owners who are not actively involved in managing the property must be registered with the Local Authority.

The following exemptions apply:-

• Where the property is let to a close family member.  This is defined in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and includes parents, grandparents, children, nieces and nephews.
• Life-rents.  This is a specific legal arrangement whereby a person does not own a property but retains a right to use it for the rest of their life.
• Houses used for holiday let provided all of the following criteria are met 
  • The accommodation must be available for commercial letting to the public generally as holiday accommodation for not less than 140 days
  • The periods for which it is let must amount in aggregate to at least 70 days
  • For at least 7 months the property must not be in the same occupancy for more than 31 days
• Religious orders and religious organisations (typically convents, monasteries, church manses).
• Accommodation with care.  This includes properties where the Care Commission are responsible for regulation – namely, care homes and school care services. 
• Houses subject to a Control Order under Section 178 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987.
• Certain agricultural, small holding and crofting tenancies. Under the Agricultural Holding (Scotland) Act 1991/2003, Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993 and Small Landholders (Scotland) Act 1886/1931.  All crofts are exempt, however registration applies to tied housing and housing offered as part of employment.
• Resident landlords where lodgers are living with the landlord in his/her principal or only home under tenancy or occupancy arrangements.  Any resident with three lodgers requires a House in Multiple Occupation licence from the Local Authority.   Please contact this office for further details.
• Transitory ownership, where ownership of the house is short-term and part of a transitory process.  This includes properties held by a lender regulated by the Financial ߣsir��Ƶ Authority as a result of repossession to realise a debt, or properties held by an executor for up to 6 months, dealing with a deceased person’s estate after 6 months then registration will be required.
• Held by an executor for a period less than 6 months. After 6 months then registration will be required.
• Possessed by a heritable creditor for a period less than 6 months. After 6 months then registration will be required.
• Owned by a person acting as an insolvency practitioner for a period less than 6 months, unless the appointment is made by the Accountant in Bankruptcy. In that case, crown immunity applies and there is a permanent exemption from registration. 
• owned by a local authority or Registered Social Landlord 

NOTE- Registration applies to tied housing, housing offered as part of employment, accommodation provided by religious orders as temporary accommodation or respite care for persons not in the order.

Regulation Summary

Registration is required under .

Application Evaluation Process

The application is decided by the Local Authority and typically takes up to 4 weeks once all of the relevant information has been submitted.  We cannot start to consider your application until we have received a completed, signed form, correct payment and a copy of the Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate, if applicable.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

No, the registration scheme is not automatic and landlords will require to be “fit and proper”.  This takes into consideration any offences in respect of fraud, dishonesty, violence or drugs, unlawful discrimination, breaches of housing law and antisocial behaviour. 

Once approved, you will receive written confirmation including the expiry date of your registration.  The registration last for 3 years from the date of approval.

Other Evidence

You will also be required to provide a copy of the current landlord Gas Safety Certificate if there is gas in the let property.  The gas check must be carried out by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer see  for a list of local engineers.

For tenancies commencing from 4 January 2009, we will also need to see a copy of the Energy Performance Certificate.  A list of approved organisations is provided on the  or you can contact a local surveyor.

A copy of the electrical installation condition report will also be required.

We may also request further information and you should reply promptly to any request you receive.

For further information on your responsibilities as a landlord visit

Fees

The fees are as follows:-

Further information

For further information in relation to letting property out including legal obligations please visit the information pages or the (formerly the Private Rented Housing Panel). 

Failure to register as a private landlord could result in a fine of up to £50,000 and/or the Local Authority may serve a Rent Penalty Notice which prevents you from collecting money, e.g. rent or benefits, for the property or properties you own.

All landlords and agents must keep their details up to date and notify Private Landlord Registration or via when you cease to be a landlord or your contact details change. If any of the details with regard to your application change it is your responsibility to notify the Local Authorities to which you have applied. You will continue to be liable for any charges resulting from delays due to correspondence being sent to previous addresses and you may be fined up to £1,000.

• How to complete your landlord registration application
• First time or paper renewal application form
• Form for adding a property to an existing application