The checklist
| Requirement | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord registration | Before letting; renew every 3 years | Through your council; put your registration number in adverts |
| Repairing Standard | From the start and throughout | Pre-tenancy check; tell the tenant about any work needed |
| Gas safety check | Every 12 months | Gas Safe registered engineer; copy to tenant within 28 days |
| Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) | At least every 5 years | Registered electrician |
| Portable appliance testing (PAT) | At least every 5 years | Appliances you provide: kettles, fridges, washing machines |
| Smoke and heat alarms | From day one | Interlinked: smoke alarm in the living room and every hall and landing; heat alarm in the kitchen |
| Carbon monoxide alarms | From day one | Any room with a fuel-burning appliance or flue |
| Legionella risk assessment | Before letting; review regularly | Usually a simple check of the water system |
| Energy Performance Certificate | Valid 10 years | Show the rating in adverts; give a copy to the tenant |
| Tenancy deposit | Within 30 working days | SafeDeposits Scotland, Letting Protection Service Scotland or mydeposits Scotland, plus prescribed information |
| Written tenancy terms | By the start of the tenancy | Private Residential Tenancy terms plus the Scottish Government's notes |
| HMO licence | If 3+ unrelated tenants | Licensed by your council |
Landlord registration
Every private landlord in Scotland must be registered with the council for each area where they let, through the Scottish Landlord Register. The council checks you're a "fit and proper" person. Registration lasts three years. Letting an unregistered property is a criminal offence, and the council can stop rent being payable.
The Repairing Standard
The Repairing Standard is the minimum condition for any private let in Scotland. The property must be wind and watertight, structurally sound, free from serious damp and mould, have a fixed heating system and safe kitchen space, and have working water, gas, electricity and sanitation. Fixtures, appliances and furnishings you provide must work and be safe.
Before each tenancy, check the property and tell the tenant about any work needed. When a tenant reports damp or mould, you must investigate within 10 days and start any repairs within 5 working days of the inspection. If you don't fix problems, the tenant or council can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber), which can order the work and reduce the rent.
Deposits
A deposit can be no more than two months' rent. Lodge it with one of the three approved schemes within 30 working days of the tenancy starting and give the tenant the prescribed information in the same period. If you don't, the tribunal can order you to pay the tenant up to three times the deposit.
Tenancies, rent and ending a tenancy
Tenancies starting since 1 December 2017 are Private Residential Tenancies. They're open-ended: you can only end one using a Notice to Leave and one of the eviction grounds, decided by the tribunal if the tenant doesn't leave. Rent can usually be increased once every 12 months using the prescribed notice. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 lets councils propose rent control areas, so check your council's position before setting rents.
Tax for Scottish landlords
Rental profit is part of your income, so Scottish taxpayers pay Scottish income tax rates on it, which have more bands than the rest of the UK. Mortgage interest relief, allowable expenses and the SA105 tax return work in the same way. Our income tax calculators use the bands for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, so treat their results as a guide only. For buying, see our LBTT buy-to-let calculator, which includes the 8% Additional Dwelling Supplement.
Frequently asked questions
Do landlords in Scotland have to register?
Yes. Every private landlord must register with the council for each area where they let a property. Registration lasts three years.
How long do Scottish landlords have to protect a deposit?
30 working days from the start of the tenancy, with one of the three approved schemes. The deposit can't be more than two months' rent.
Is PAT testing a legal requirement in Scotland?
Yes, for appliances provided by the landlord. Scottish Government guidance on the Repairing Standard covers checking them at least every five years.
What alarms does a rented home in Scotland need?
Interlinked smoke alarms in the living room and every hall and landing, a heat alarm in the kitchen, and carbon monoxide alarms where there's a fuel-burning appliance.
Sources
- Scottish Landlord Register
- Scottish Government: Repairing Standard statutory guidance for private landlords
- mygov.scot: Repairs and maintenance as a private landlord
Sources last checked 10 November 2026. See all our sources and how we keep pages up to date.