Scottish Government issues new guidance for registration and regulation of landlords

New guidance on registration and regulation of landlords has been issued by the Scottish Government for all those renting homes in the private rented sector.

The guidance aims to support local authorities to effectively regulate the landlord registration system, which requires councils to maintain a register of private landlords and ensure that only landlords it judges to be fit and proper are allowed on the register.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said that landlord registration gives local authorities the ability to control and regulate who can operate legitimately as a private landlord at a time when the private rented sector plays an increasingly important role in Scotland’s housing system.

He pointed out that around 760,000 people in Scotland live in privately rented homes, twice the number seen 10 years ago.

‘I want to see a sector that is characterised by more good quality homes, being managed professionally and where tenants feel secure. Where there are poor standards, local authorities should be taking tough, targeted enforcement to ensure every landlord is fit for purpose,’ Stewart explained.

‘I would like to encourage all local authorities to use this guidance and examples of best practice to raise standards in the sector and ensure greater consistency in enforcement across Scotland,’ he added.

The guidance highlights best practice examples where local authorities are using their landlord registration powers to deliver improvements in the sector. Examples include communicating effectively with all landlords on the register and successful working with the police and other agencies to take action against landlords who deliberately flout the law.

Meanwhile, a community group in Edinburgh has become the first organisation in an urban area to benefit from community Right to Buy powers. Action Porty has taken ownership of the former Portobello Old Parish Church with a view to transforming it into a multi-use community hub.

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives communities the right to buy land and assets under certain conditions. While the powers have been used widely across rural Scotland, this is the first time permission has been granted to a group within a city to proceed with a purchase.

‘Our ambitious and progressive land reform policies have already delivered huge benefits to rural communities across Scotland. It’s great to see community right to buy now being used to unlock the potential of land in urban communities,’ said Land Reform Secretary Roseanna Cunningham.

‘I know other community groups will be inspired by Action Porty’s success. I wish them the best for the future, and look forward to seeing the group’s plans to construct a community hub progress,’ she added.