Landlord responsibilities in Scotland

When letting in Scotland, there are a number of responsibilities landlords should fulfil.

Your responsibilities

• Make sure you register with the local council in the area where your rental property is located. Find out more about registering your property.
• Give the tenants your name and address.
• Ensure that their deposits are registered with an approved tenancy deposit scheme. Find out more about logging your tenant’s deposits.
• Provide your tenant with a tenancy agreement
• Take action to deal with anti-social behaviour by your tenants in or around your property
• Be able to produce an Energy Performance Certificate to anyone wanting to rent out your property.
• Carry out a Legionella Risk Assessment
• Meet gas, electricity and other safety requirements

Meeting the repairing standards

If you're renting out a property, as the landlord you're responsible for carrying out some repairs. It's your duty to make sure the property meets the repairing standard. This is a basic level of repair that all private rented properties must meet.

The following are required to make sure your rental property meets the repairing standard:

• Making sure the property is wind and watertight
• Suitable fire detection devices are fitted
• Carbon Monoxide Detectors are fitted
• Water, gas and electricity are properly working
• Furnishings can be used safely for the tenants’ required uses

Fire safety

The following a required in rental properties from a fire safety perspective (including single and multiple occupants):

• A smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living.
• A smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings
• A heat alarm installed in every kitchen
• All alarms should be ceiling mounted
• All alarms should be interlinked
• Fire blankets should be provided in the kitchen
• Fire extinguishers should be in the hallways
• Fire proof doors should be fitted in the property

Find out more about the requirements for fire and smoke alarms in Scottish homes.