Private Sector Tenant Information

As you will be aware all private landlords who rent out property in Scotland are required to register with the local authority. In order to check that your landlord is registered please go to Landlord register home – Scottish Landlord Register and search the register.  There are exemptions, therefore if you find your landlords details do not show then please contact the Homeowner’s Service (Private Sector) who will be able to give you further information.

Tenant Responsibilities

As a private rented sector tenant you must pay the rent and comply with the other conditions of the tenancy agreement. You must not cause any damage or disturbance and must report any repairs required to the landlord. In return you have the right to quiet enjoyment while staying in the property, know how to contact the landlord and know the terms of your tenancy.

Tenancy Agreement

There are a number of the tenancy agreement for private rented sector properties in Scotland. The Private Residential Tenancy (PRT) is the agreement which almost all landlords in Scotland should now be using. If you moved into your property after 1^st December 2017 then this should be the agreement you should have signed. If you have lived in the property prior to this and signed a Short Assured Tenancy (SAT) then this will remain in place, until you leave the property.  Further information on this can be found at Types of private rented tenancy · East Ayrshire Council or Private residential tenancy: information for tenants – gov.scot

Bringing a Tenancy to an End

Once you’re ready to end your tenancy you have certain responsibilities to make sure the process goes smoothly.

These include giving enough notice to your landlord, paying off any outstanding bills and making sure the property is clean when you leave it.

Giving notice

If you want to move out of rented accommodation, you have to let your landlord know in advance. This is called giving notice.

If you have an assured or short assured tenancy, your tenancy agreement should tell you how much notice you have to give before moving out. Usually you’ll have to give one or two months’ notice.

If you have a private residential tenancy (one that started on or after 1 December 2017), the maximum notice your landlord is allowed to ask you to give is 28 days.

If you and your landlord want to agree that you’ll give more than 28 days’ notice you can, but your landlord can only ask you to agree to this after your tenancy has started and your agreement must be given freely without any pressure from your landlord.

If you’re a joint tenant and you want to end the tenancy, you cannot do this alone. You must get the other joint tenants’ permission, because this will end the tenancy for everyone. Further information can be found: –

Ending a tenancy – mygov.scot

Repairs

As a tenant you have a responsibility to report repairs to your landlord as soon as reasonably possible.  Should your landlord not take any action to carry out necessary repair work reported to them then you can make an application to the First Tier Tribunal, Housing & Property Chamber. 

If you are reporting repairs and they do not get carried out you should complete this pro forma letter and submit to your landlord/letting agent before contacting us or contacting the Housing and Property Chamber. Repairing Standards Pro Forma