Private landlords
Registration of private landlords
make sure that you read the Privacy Notice before applying for a licence
COVID-19 - Supporting tenants - Important information from the Scottish Government
Please read the letter and statement issued by the Scottish Government which sets out the Scottish Government’s position following the statement made on 18 March 2020 by Aileen Campbell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government. This provides the latest information and guidance for landlords and the support available to tenants who may find themselves in financial difficulty due to COVID-19.
Changes to Registration Requirements
On Monday 16 September 2019 new legislation came into force which will affect your applications and renewals.
Fees
The proposed increase in fees by the Scottish Government has now been passed by Parliament.
From the 3 April 2023 the fees are -
- Principal fee £75 (£37.50 in multi-area applications)
- Property fee £17 per property
- Late application fee £149
Anyone who owns residential property in Scotland which is let must apply to register with the local authority for the area where the property is located, unless covered by one of the exemptions.
Landlord Registration Exemptions
Joint Owners
Where there is more than one owner of a property, you nominate one as the lead landlord and they are responsible for paying the application fees. Joint owners do not pay fees unless they are also the lead owner of a separate property or if they are subject to a late application fee. Each owner will have their own unique registration.
Agents
If an agent manages a property on behalf of the landlord, that agent must also be registered. Where the agent has not applied for registration, the landlord will submit the application and pay the fee.
If a valid application has not been submitted after two requests from the local authority a late application fee of £149, in addition to the registration fees, will be applied to each applicant. Failure to apply after this point will result in us serving a rent penalty notice which means that no rent shall be payable until a valid application has been submitted and the notice has been revoked. If a valid application has still not been submitted, the ultimate sanction is a report to the Procurator Fiscal, a criminal conviction and a maximum fine of £50,000.
Applications may be made online using the link below or by downloading and submitting an application form to the local authority with the appropriate fee.
If applicants are found to be not fit and proper then a report will be submitted to the Highland Licensing Committee for a hearing to determine whether the applicant should be entered in or removed from the register.
Change of circumstances
You must ensure that your registration details are kept up to date either by amending them online or by notifying us in writing or by email using our contact details below. Failure to do so is an offence under the Act.
It is our legal obligation to maintain the register and to provide advice and assistance relevant to the registration scheme. It is not our responsibility to make sure the landlord's registration details are up to date.
Useful information
- Highland Council focuses on delivering statutory services
- Register
- Landlord Accreditation Scotland
- Private renting information for landlords
- Landlord registration leaflet - Scottish Government
- Rights for private sector tenants leaflet
- Private Residential Tenancy from 1 December 2017
- Tenancy Deposits