Landlord registration

All private landlords are legally required to be registered with their local authority. The landlord needs to provide personal details, a list of all let properties and the name and address of any letting agent used. Letting agents are not obliged to register separately, but are encouraged to do so.

View the Scottish Landlord Register, for the official database of private landlords in Scotland.

Landlord registration obligations

As a landlord, before submitting a registration application, you will need to confirm that you fulfilling all your obligations related to your rental property. To do this you will need to answer a set of questions as part of the application process, titled 'your obligations'.

Make sure you have any supporting documents ready to submit if asked for during the registration process.

You will be asked about:

• The Tolerable and Repairing Standards – landlords should be aware of their duties under the Tolerable and Repairing Standards
• Gas safety – you must provide a Gas Safety Certificate for your property for the current year, and keep a copy of certificates for the previous 2 years
• Electrical safety:
  • all rental properties must have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
  • an electrical safety inspection must be carried out before the start of a new tenancy, and during the tenancy at intervals of no more than 5 years from the date of the previous inspection
  • a copy of the report must be given to both new and current tenants
• Electrical appliance test – if you provide portable appliances, you must make sure these are tested annually
• Fire, smoke and heat detection – all rental properties must have fire, smoke and heat alarms which must be interlinked, and ceiling mounted
• 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 (if not supplied by Scottish Water) – must meet the Tolerable Standard and be tested annually
• Energy performance – all rental properties with a few exemptions must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and a new EPC must be given to new tenants, please also view details about energy efficiency in social housing
• Legionella risk assessment – landlords must carry out a legionella risk assessment on the water systems of all rental properties, and 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 tenement must have adequate insurance in place
• Common repairs - all landlords must be aware of their obligations surrounding communal repairs, consult your Title Deeds for clarification on what applies to you as a homeowner in the building
• Tenancy deposits – as a landlord if you take a deposit from a tenant, you must lodge it within 30 days of receipt

Register as a landlord

It costs £80 to apply for landlord registration, plus a fee of £18 per property. Registration lasts for three years.

The Scottish Government's guidance notes for local authorities may be useful for landlords to help clarify inclusions and exemptions.

View landlord registration privacy notice (PDF 83.4KB).

Apply for landlord registration

Renew or update your registration

You need to renew your registration before its registration expiry date if you're continuing to rent out the property. If you do not renew your application before it expires a Late Application Fee of £160 will be payable. You can update your registration by logging in to the Landlord Registration database.

Renew or update landlord registration

If you want to add a property to your portfolio, you can log in to the Scottish Landlord Register using your landlord registration number. Select the option to Update and follow the steps provided. The cost to add a property is £18 per property.

Contact

For more information or advice call 01467 534853 or email landlordregistration@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.