All sorts of people can find themselves in the position of letting a house or rooms for one reason or another.
- Letting as a business
- Buy-to-let as an investment
- Buying a flat for students to share
- Letting your previous home when you move away
- Accommodation for employees, from estate workers to au pairs
- Taking in lodgers to share the cost
Many people take a professional approach and provide high-quality, well-managed accommodation. But there are also people who are not sure what they should do to protect themselves and their tenants.
If you haven't thought of yourself as a "landlord" before, you might not know where to look for advice. This section of the website will help you.
The following pages are split into three, main sections:
- Management issues is about dealing fairly with your tenants, setting out clearly the rights and responsibilities on each side, and what to do if problems arise.
- Physical issues covers the physical condition and safety of the property, and responsibilities for maintenance.
- Money issues gives advice on handling rents, deposits and bills, as well as some information on mortgages and the tax position
- Landlord Registration. All landlords, with a few exceptions, are now required to register with their local authority, to make sure they are "fit and proper" to be letting property. This will help to remove disreputable landlords from the market and give local authorities a clear picture of private renting in their area. The information on this site will help you to make sure you are acting in a "fit and proper" way.
The Scottish Government wants to improve standards in private renting. Read the section on our current and proposed activity aimed at improving standards in private rented housing.