Private rented housing

Through the Landlord Registration Scotland website, landlords and agents can apply for registration with all local authorities in Scotland, track their applications and inform local authorities of any changes to their details.

Alternatively, if you cannot complete the registration online please contact the Landlord Registration officer on 0300 123 4510 and leave a message or email landlordregistration@eastdunbarton.gov.uk. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

Members of the public can search the registers of all local authorities to find out whether a person or organisation is registered, or to get contact details for a particular rented property.

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

The Property Factors Register was established as a result of the implementation of the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011. The Act aims to set minimum standards of practice for the residential property and land management industry and to provide increased protection for homeowners who use the services of a property factor. The Property Factors Register is compulsory for residential property and land managers whether they are private sector businesses, local authorities or housing associations operating in Scotland.

Once the register is in force from 1 October 2012, it will be an offence to operate as a property factor without being registered.

The Lead Tenancy Scheme (LTS) is whereby, East Dunbartonshire Council leases residential properties from landlords and agents for a term of three years which potentially may be renewed. These properties are then let by the council to homeless families in need of accommodation.

If your property is suitable for our LTS scheme, rent will be paid to you directly by East Dunbartonshire Council. The rent is guaranteed for the duration of the lease, whether the property is occupied or not.

We will provide a comprehensive housing management service. East Dunbartonshire Council will place occupants within the property during the time of the lease and will deal with any tenancy issues. Upon expiry of the lease, your property will be returned to you in the same condition as at lease commencement, less fair, wear and tear and with vacant possession.

Housing and Property Chamber is a Tribunal operating in Scotland with support from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service. They have duties under several jurisdictions relating to the Housing and Property Chamber market in Scotland. Areas the Housing and Property Chamber deal with include The Repairing Standard and Rent Reviews.

Landlord Accreditation Scotland (LAS) is a voluntary scheme by which landlords and letting agents can assure tenants that the tenancy arrangements they have adhere to the high standards outlined in the Scottish Core Standards for Accredited Landlords.

Landlords and letting agents can access information regarding the private rented sector from many different sources. However Landlord Accreditation Scotland provides information based on Scottish legislation and best practice within the industry.

Becoming accredited, along with regular attendance at courses and information events, provides landlords with knowledge on main issues and how to implement change when required, ensuring they have the confidence to conduct their business in a professional manner.

From 1 April 2009, landlords and creditors have been required to inform the relevant local authority when they raise proceedings for repossession of a property, or serve certain notices relating to a mortgage. This is to give local authorities early notice of households who may be at risk of homelessness due to eviction.

Find a template of a Section 11 notice below.

The completed document should be emailed to: landlordregistration@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

Or posted to:

East Dunbartonshire Council
Landlord Registration Officer
Kirkintilloch Community Hub
2–4 West High Street
Kirkintilloch
G66 1AD

HOMELESSNESS ETC (SCOTLAND) ACT 2003
SECTION 11 NOTICE BY LANDLORD OF PROCEEDINGS FOR POSSESSION

To: local authority in whose area the dwelling house that is the subject of proceedings is situated

Take note that proceedings have been raised as detailed below.

• Name and address of landlord who has raised proceedings
• Name and address of landlord’s legal representatives
• Contact telephone number of landlord
• Landlord registration reference (applicable to private sector landlords only)
• Name of tenant/s against whom proceedings have been raised
• Full postal address of property that is the subject of proceedings
• Start date of the tenancy
• Date of raising of proceedings
• Court in which proceedings raised.

The legislation under which proceedings are being notified:

Various statutes require notice to be given to a local authority where a landlord has raised proceedings for possession of a house. The table below lists some of the legislation under which such proceedings might be raise for possession of a house; please tick in the appropriate box below which describes the proceedings you have raised

1. 12A(1) (notice to local authority of proceedings for possession of a dwelling-house let on a protected tenancy or subject to a statutory tenancy) of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 (c.58). Tick this box if you have raised proceedings to recover possession of a dwellinghouse let on a protected tenancy or subject to a statutory tenancy.

2. Section 19A(1) (notice to local authority of proceedings for possession of a house let on an assured tenancy) of the Housing (Scotland) 1988 (c.43). Tick this box if you have raised proceedings to recover possession of a dwellinghouse let on an assured tenancy.

3. Section 14(5A) (notice to local authority of proceedings for possession of a house let on a Scottish secure tenancy) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 10). Tick this box if you have raised proceedings to recover possession of a dwellinghouse let on a Scottish secure tenancy.

4. Section 36(6A) (notice to local authority of proceedings for possession of a house let on short Scottish secure tenancy) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 10). Tick this box if you have raised proceedings to recover possession of a dwellinghouse let on a short Scottish secure tenancy).

4a  Section 56 (1) (restriction on applying without notifying local authority) of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 19) (tick this box if you have applied to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland for an eviction order in relation to a property let on a private residential tenancy).

5. Other proceedings for possession of a dwellinghouse. Tick this box if you have raised proceedings to recover possession of a dwellinghouse and none of the above boxes are appropriate. For these purposes a dwellinghouse is any building or part of a building, which is occupied or intended to be occupied as a separate dwelling, and in particular includes a flat.

Licensing of Short Term Lets As a result of the Civic Government Scotland Act 1982 (Licensing of Short Term Lets) Order 2022 being passed by the Scottish Parliament, local authorities in Scotland must introduce a licensing scheme for properties operating as short term lets. The licensing scheme will start on 1 October 2022 and will cover all short term lets by July 2024. A copy of the guidance published by the Scottish Government on 18 March 2022 is available below:

• Guidance for hosts and operators
• Supplementary guidance for licensing authorities, letting agencies and platforms
• Short-term lets policy

A copy of the policy and additional information on how/when to apply etc is available from the Council’s Landlord Registration Officer who can be contacted vis email at STL@eastdunbarton.gov.uk and/or by calling 0300 123 4510

If you have identified a property in the private sector that meets your housing needs; the Council’s RDGS may be able to assist you with a contribution towards the deposit and/or months rent in advance (up to the Local Housing Allowance rate that the household is entitled to).  

To apply for assistance from the scheme the Homelessness and Prevention Team will require the following information:

• Household details i.e. name, date of birth etc
• Agent/landlord contact details and registration number
• Property you have been offered i.e. full address, monthly rent, deposit/rent in advance required.

Please see links to useful websites that you may wish to visit for more information

• Private residential tenancy: information for tenants
• Local Housing Allowance

• Scottish landlord registration
• Property factors register - Scottish Government website
• Landlord Accreditation Scotland
• Short-term lets campaign - Scottish Government website