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Landlord's guide to letting with Home Sweet Home

Landlord responsibilities and compliance

Becoming a landlord in Inverness and Fife can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with certain responsibilities and it’s important to know and understand them.

Here are some key things to keep in mind:

Register with the local council

As of 2019, all landlords in Scotland are required to register with their local council and obtain a landlord registration number. You will also need to provide details of your property and your contact information.

You can register HERE

Ensure your property meets legal requirements

Before you can rent out your property, you will need to make sure it meets certain legal requirements, and be habitable, safe and secure.

Smoke and heat alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors must be installed.

You must provide an Energy Performance Certificate of a minimum E rating, which is set to rise to a C in 2025 for new tenancies and in 2028 for all tenancies.

The property must be in good condition and maintained throughout the tenancy.

You should also make sure that the property is safe, secure, well ventilated, damp and mould free, living rooms have natural light and are adequately heated.

Provide a written tenancy agreement

By law, you must provide a written tenancy agreement to your tenants, which outlines the terms of the tenancy and the obligations of both parties.

You must also provide them with a copy of the How to Rent guide, which is a government-approved guide to renting in Scotland.

Provide tenants with paperwork

You must provide your tenant with your person details and address, as well as gas and electric safety certificate, EPC, boiler instructions and any other relevant information needed by the tenant.

Register Deposits

You must register your tenant’s deposit within 30 days of receiving it in a tenancy deposit scheme for the duration of the tenancy and provide them with details of the scheme.

Carry out regular inspections

It's important to carry out regular inspections of your property to make sure it is being kept in good condition and to identify any issues that need to be addressed.

Deal with repairs and maintenance promptly

As a landlord, you have a responsibility to ensure that your property is safe and in good repair. You should deal with any repairs or maintenance issues as quickly as possible to avoid causing inconvenience to your tenants.

Carry Out Regular Safety Checks

You must carry out regular safety checks to ensure that the property is safe for your tenants. This includes an annual gas safety check, regular electrical safety checks, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarm tests.

Provide notice before entering the property

If you need to enter the property for any reason, such as to carry out repairs or inspections, you should provide your tenants with reasonable notice beforehand.

Handle Tenant Complaints

As a landlord, you are required to handle tenant complaints in a reasonable and timely manner. You should have a complaints procedure in place and ensure that your tenants know how to make a complaint.

Keep Records

You must keep accurate records of all financial transactions related to the tenancy. This includes rent payments, deposit protection, and any repairs or maintenance carried out on the property.

It is important to keep accurate records of your rental income and expenses, as well as any other relevant financial information as this will help you meet your tax obligations and avoid any penalties or fines.

Hire a professional

With the ever-changing rules and regulations, it can be hard for landlords to stay legal and on top of their responsibilities, that’s why more and more landlords are choosing Home Sweet Home to manage their rental properties.

We can take care of almost all of the day-to-day hard work and help keep your tenancies running smoothly, whilst keeping you on the right side of the law, so why not get in touch for a confidential chat with one of your rental experts today.