Renting a home in Scotland

Private renting in Scotland has its own law and gives tenants more security than in most of the UK. This guide explains how it works so you know what to expect, what to check and what you can refuse to pay.

We explain how renting works. We do not give legal advice. If you have a dispute, Shelter Scotland and Citizens Advice Scotland can help.

Private residential tenancies

Almost every private let that started since December 2017 is a private residential tenancy. The important points:

• It is open-ended. There is no fixed term and no end date, so you do not have to renew every six or twelve months.
• Your landlord can only end it using one of a set list of legal grounds, such as selling the property or moving back in.
• You can leave by giving 28 days' notice in writing, unless you and the landlord agree a different period.

Your landlord must give you the tenancy terms in writing within 28 days of the tenancy starting, along with the government's notes explaining your rights.

Before you sign

• Check the landlord is registered. Private landlords must register with the council. Search the Scottish Landlord Register online.
• Check the letting agent is registered. Letting agents must be on the Scottish Letting Agent Register and follow a code of practice.
• Refuse any fees. Landlords and agents cannot charge you for arranging the let, references, credit checks or the tenancy agreement. The only payments they can ask for are rent and a refundable deposit.
• Ask for the energy rating. Every advert should show the Energy Performance Certificate rating.

There are no Right to Rent immigration checks in Scotland; those apply in England only. A landlord may still ask for references, and if you are new to the UK, they may ask for a guarantor or rent in advance.

Deposits

A deposit cannot be more than two months' rent. Your landlord must lodge it with one of three approved schemes (SafeDeposits Scotland, Letting Protection Service Scotland or mydeposits Scotland) within 30 working days of the tenancy starting, and tell you which scheme holds it.

At the end of the tenancy, if you and the landlord disagree about deductions, the scheme resolves the dispute for free. If your deposit was not protected, you can apply to the tribunal, which can order the landlord to pay you up to three times the deposit.

Rent increases

Your landlord can increase the rent no more than once every 12 months, and must give you at least three months' notice on the official form. If you think the increase is too high, you can ask a rent officer to review it, but you must do this within 21 days of getting the notice.

Scotland's rules on rent increases are changing under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, including new powers for councils to cap rents in some areas. [CHECK] Confirm what is in force before you sign.

Repairs and safety

Your home must meet the repairing standard. In short: wind and watertight, safe gas and electrics, working heating and hot water, and interlinked smoke and heat alarms, plus a carbon monoxide alarm where there is a gas or fuel-burning appliance. Landlords need an annual gas safety check and an electrical safety inspection at least every five years.

Report repairs in writing. If your landlord does not fix something, you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber), which is free.

Ending a tenancy

To leave, give your landlord at least 28 days' notice in writing.

If your landlord wants you to leave, they must give you a notice to leave stating the legal ground. The notice period is 28 days if you have lived there less than six months, and 84 days if longer, with shorter periods for a few conduct-related grounds. If you do not leave, only the tribunal can order an eviction. A landlord cannot change the locks or remove you themselves.

Council tax and bills

As a tenant, you usually pay council tax. In Scotland council tax includes water and sewerage charges, so there is no separate water bill. Tell the council the date you move in. Gas, electricity and broadband are usually in your name too; check the advert or tenancy terms.