Landlord registration

Regulating the private sector

Various measures regulate the private rented sector to ensure letting agents, landlords and properties meet certain standards

Part 8 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 states that from April 2006, it is an offence for the owner of a house to let it unless they are registered with the local authority.

To be placed on the register, the owner and any agent they use, must be considered a fit and proper person to let residential property. This will be a judgement by the local authority for individual landlords and the Scottish Government for letting agents, in light of the balance of relevant information. The houses being let will also require to be listed but they do not need to be inspected and the register does not include information on individual tenancies.

The process has been designed to be as easy as possible to minimise the impact on good landlords and letting agents and avoid duplication of processes where a landlord operates in more than one area or holds a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence.

Our frequently asked questions document is currently being updated, in the meantime if you have any questions in relation to this please contact the Homeowners Service (Private Sector Team) on the details given below.

Landlord registration process

Individual landlords should register online at Landlord Registration Scotland. Please note you must log out of the Landlord Registration Scotland website when you are finished.

If you would prefer to receive a paper copy of the application then please contact the Private Sector Team.

Landlord registration fee

Fees for landlord registration are £80 application fee, £18 property fee and £160 late application fee (payable if a landlord fails to renew or make a new application on time).  For further information please see the Landlord Registration Scotland Fee Changes on the Scottish Government’s website.  

Landlords registration prescribed information

Prescribed information was introduced on 16 September 2019. When a landlord submits a new or renewal application they will be required  to be more explicit about their compliance with existing legal responsibilities in relation to property management and condition. For further information on this please see prescribed information on the Scottish Government’s website.   

Regulation and registration of letting agents

As of 31 January 2018 all letting agents operating in Scotland must comply with the Letting Agent Code of Practice. The Scottish Letting Agent Register is now open for applications from letting agents. All letting agents in Scotland must have applied to register with Scottish Ministers before 1 October 2018.

Further information on letting agent registration, including how to apply, is available at letting agent registration on the Scottish Government’s website.

Contact Information

Homeowners Service (Private Sector) direct numbers

Dawn Cadwell, Empty Homes Officer: 07785 446 115

Nikki Martin, Empty Homes Officer: 07876878867

Christine Thomson, Private Sector Assistant: 07785 446 120 (Wed, Thur & Friday only)

Elizabeth (Liz) King, Private Sector Assistant 07785 445 835

Gemma Wilks, Clerical Assistant: 07785 446 298 (9am – 12.30pm Mon – Fri)

Opera House, John Finnie Street, Kilmarnock

Telephone: 01563 554400

Email: [email protected]