Renfrewshire Council

When you become a private landlord

There are many rules and regulations that must be met when letting out a private property or becoming a private landlord.

The landlord checklist [380KB] will help you makesure you meet all your responsibilities as a private landlord.

You can also find out more information about private rented sector reforms on the Scottish Government website.

If you fail to meet any of your legal obligations as a Landlord, your tenant can raise this with the Housing and Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland.

Where the Housing and Property Chamber establish that the landlord has not met the requirements of the repairing standard or complied with their duties set out in relevant housing law, they can take enforcement action which might include serving a Rent Penalty Notice.

Landlords who fail to maintain their private rented property risk being removed from the register of landlords.

See the Housing and Property Chamber website for more information about your responsibilities for repairs.

The following Private Residential Tenancy YouTube videos may be helpful

• Information video 1 - The Private Residential Tenancy
• Information video 2 - Model Tenancy Agreement

Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

If you rent your property out to three or more unrelated people, you will need a Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) licence. Before an HMO licence can be granted, you must be able to show that:

• you meet your responsibilities in relation to common repairs
• all property is clean and well maintained
• all relevant gas and electrical certification is up to date, and
• fire escape routes are well maintained

Antisocial behaviour

All landlords have a responsibility for monitoring and dealing with complaints relating to anti social behaviour by their tenants or their visitors. The Council has a Community Safety Service which investigates complaints of anti social behaviour.

Details of the Community Safety Service are available on the Community Safety webpage.

Evictions

Landlords cannot evict tenants from their property unless they follow certain legal procedures.

Legislation under Section 11 of the Homelessness Persons Act 2003 also requires landlords to notify the council of their intention to evict tenants.

The Deposit Guarantee Scheme for homeless people

The council works with over 60 landlords in Renfrewshire with its Deposit Guarantee Scheme to help house homeless people.

Many of these tenants are single people looking for one bedroom accommodation and cannot afford deposits for accommodation. The Deposit Guarantee Scheme will provide written guarantees to landlords in place of a cash deposit.

The Deposit Guarantee Officer provides continuous support to landlords to ensure that:

• rent is paid directly to landlords* (*May not be possible under Universal Credit')
• relevant lease agreements are prepared for landlords
• an inventory of the property is completed
• checks on tenants and property are undertaken regularly
• landlords are allowed to claim against the deposit guarantee scheme should loss or damage occur

Landlords wishing more information about the scheme, or who are interested in making available suitable property and working with the deposit guarantee scheme should contact the prevention team. 

Empty homes

The Scottish Government has an Empty Homes Officer Post to work between Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire Councils, in the Homes Again Renfrewshire initiative. 

The Empty Homes Officer can work with homeowners of empty properties by providing support and assistance to reinstate properties as homes again.

If you have or are aware of an empty property that could be brought back into use you can contact the Empty Homes Officer or you can report an empty home at www.reportemptyhomes.com.