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Register as a landlord with the local council

It is now an offence for anyone to own residential property in Scotland which is let, if they are not registered with the relevant local authority, or have not made a valid application to register, unless they are covered by an exemption.

All owners of a property, including joint owners, are required to apply for registration in order to comply with the law. If an agent acts for you in relation to letting a property, you must identify the agent. Where the agent is already registered, as would be the case with a professional letting agent such as Clan Gordon, ask for their reference number and supply it when you register.

You can find all you need to know at Landlord Registration Scotland.

Get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

An EPC is a certificate illustrating the energy efficiency and environmental (CO2) impact of a property. Anyone letting a home in Scotland must now obtain an EPC and display it in the property.

As a firm of chartered surveyors, Clan Gordon can survey your property and create your EPC.

WeDoEPC is part of the Clan Gordon Group - the WeDoEPC website contains all you need to know.

Check your property complies with the Repairing Standard

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 introduced the Repairing Standard as a core set of standards for property let in the private sector. In short it means landlords now have to provide a property in reasonably habitable condition and everything supplied with the property must be in reasonable working order or be repaired/replaced.

A property meets the Repairing Standard if:

  • The house is wind and water tight and reasonably fit for human habitation (taking account of the extent to which the house falls short of any building regulations, because of disrepair or sanitary defects);
  • The structure and exterior of the house (including drains, gutters and external pipes) are in reasonable repair and proper working order (having regard to the house's age, character and prospective life and the locality). Where the house forms part of premises (eg, a flat), this requirement includes any part of the premises that the owner is responsible for maintaining, solely or communally, but the Repairing Standard only applies if any part of, or anything in, the premises that the Tenant is entitled to use is adversely affected;
  • The installations in the house for the supply of water, gas and electricity and for sanitation, space heating and heating water are in reasonable repair and proper working order (including installations outside the house but serving it, and which the owner is responsible for maintaining, solely or communally);
  • Any fixtures, fittings and appliances provided under the tenancy are in reasonable repair and proper working order;
  • Any furnishings provided under the tenancy are capable of being used safely for the purpose for which they are designed;
  • There is satisfactory provision of smoke alarms.

Choose an appropriate rent level

This can be a critical decision. Aim for too much rent and you may not get any viewings, or so few that you have little choice of tenant. This can mean you end up with a less good tenant.
Have a look at the latest market reports or use our Free Rental Valuation service.

Remember that tenants are just like you - they would like a nice home, with everything in good condition. When they find a home they like, they will be prepared to pay more.

Featured property

Featured property

£1100.00 p/m | 3 Beds
Royal Crescent, Edinburgh, EH3 6PZ

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