LANDLORD GUIDANCE – LANDLORD REGISTRATION
Before you can rent out your property you are required to register your details in the Register of Landlords, held and maintained by the local council which covers the area where your let property is located in terms of the Anti-social Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004.
The aim is to ensure that all private landlords are “fit and proper” to let residential property. It is an offence to act as an unregistered landlord and failure to register can incur a fine of up to £50,000.
Registering before you rent out your property makes sure you meet the minimum legal requirements.
Joint owners (anyone else who is also named on the title deeds) also require to register, but they won’t be charged.
Landlords are required to keep the information held on the register up to date at all times.
When an application for registration is approved by a local authority it is valid for three years. If the property is still rented then the landlord must reapply to renew their licence prior to the expiry date being reached.
Exemptions
There are some situations where you don’t have to register with the local authority to rent out a property. These include:
•holiday lets
•houses managed by religious orders
•houses with a resident landlord
•houses with agricultural and crofting tenancies
•letting to family members
•houses providing care services governed by Care Inspectorate regulation
The registration number must appear on all advertising material (including online) and in any subsequent lease.
The principal fee (per landlord) for registering of £55, plus £11 for each property . You may also be eligible to pay a discounted fee if you fall into one of the following categories:
• have an HMO licence
• joint own a property with a family member
There is also an additional penalty fee of £110 which can be applied to landlords who fail to submit an application following two reminder letters from the local authority.
Further details can be found at https://www.mygov.scot/housing-local-services/renting-property/
