Registration Of Private Landlords

11th April 2006

Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004

By 30th April 2006 landlords letting properties in Scotland should either be registered or have submitted a valid application for registration. It will be an offence to let a property, (unless the property is exempt under the legislation) after this date without having
either been registered or having submitted a valid application for registration.

The aim of the landlord registration scheme is to ensure that all private landlords are `fit and proper' to be letting residential property. The requirement will help local authorities to remove disreputable landlords from the market and to protect tenants and their
neighbours from the impact of antisocial behaviour and mismanaged property in the wider community.

Registration will be required for private landlords letting residential property in Scotland, unless all the houses they let are covered by one or more of the exemptions. Letting part of the home is exempt (i.e resident landlords) as is a house let to the tenant of an agricultural holding or croft. There are some other minor exemptions, including
holiday homes or letting to members of the landlords own family.

Landlords and Agents can register on-line by visiting: www.landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk (offsite link to Scottish Executive)

There is a 10% discount on the registration fee and on the property fee for on-line applications.

Alternatively paper application forms will be available from all Highland Council Service Points or can be requested by contacting one of the following:

Licensing Officer
The Highland Council
Ross and Cromarty Area
High Street
Dingwall
IV15 9QN

Tel: (01349) 868579

Licensing Officer
The Highland Council
Inverness Area
Town House
Inverness
IV1 1JJ

Tel: (01463) 724298

Note that that where an agent has registered, a landlord client will be required to enter that agent's registration number whilst making his own application. The landlord client should obtain the registration number by requesting it from the agent.

Where a landlord's agent is not registered, the landlord is still required to include the agent's details with his application as a person acting on his behalf in relation to the let. Where the details of an unregistered agent are included in an application for registration by a landlord, the landlord will be liable to pay an additional principal fee.

Agents therefore may wish to register prior to their clients doing so in order that their registration numbers may be provided to their clients.

Landlords who are holders of a House in Multiple Occupation Licence do not need to register as they will be passported into the system. However their agents will need to be registered if their details were not included in the landlord's HMO application.

For further information in relation to the registration scheme please contact the above or visit the following website:www.betterrentingscotland.com (Offsite link to the Scottish Executive)