Landlord Registration
Is your landlord registered?
From 1st May 2006, as part of a Scotland-wide scheme, all private landlords with properties in Glasgow and their agents must be registered with Glasgow City Council, along with details of the properties they let. The aim of registration is to set minimum standards for the sector and remove the worst landlords. The scheme will provide valuable information on private landlords across the City, including a public register which anyone may use to contact a landlord.
In order to become registered, landlords must be found to be 'fit and proper'.
The assessment takes into account:
- Any offences relating to fraud, dishonesty, violence or drugs
- unlawful discrimination
- breaches of housing law
- failure to act in relation to anti-social behaviour.
The Council will take into account these factors and any other relevant information before making a balanced judgement. There are no automatic grounds for refusal.
Your landlord is committing an offence if they are not registered or in the process of registering. Any information relating to properties which are privately let should be passed to the Private Landlord Registration Unit. They will not be able to discuss whether or not an application has been received or release information about the landlord or their properties. This information will only be released once the landlord is on the public register. They will however pursue unregistered landlords where necessary.
You can check whether your landlord or property is registered by using the Landlord Registration Scotland website. The council will write to you if it will not register your landlord or removes them from the register, to give you some information about your rights, including:
- what your position is if your landlord ends your tenancy
- where you can get advice and assistance if your tenancy ends
- how to get help from the council if you become homeless
Your landlord cannot evict you just because they have been removed from the register. However, the council will expect your landlord to end your tenancy as soon as they legally can.
Landlord registration and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
Your landlord should have a HMO licence if you live in a property where:
- at least three people live, and;
- the people who live there belong to three or more families, and;
- the people who live there share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.
Landlords with HMO licences will be automatically registered with Glasgow City Council. You can check whether your landlord is registered by contacting by contacting the Council’s HMO Licensing unit on 0141 287 4535.
Landlord registration and letting agents
Letting agents are not automatically required to register. However, in cases where a property is rented and managed on behalf of the home owner, the home owner must register themselves and also give details of their letting agent. The letting agency will then be assessed as Fit and Proper in the same way as the Landlord.
Landlord Accreditation Scheme
Glasgow City Council is in the process of establishing a landlord accreditation scheme. This will recognise and promote good practice among landlords, and give tenants a way of identifying good landlords before they move into a property. Further information will be available on the website when the scheme is up and running.
For Landlords - How to Register
Landlord Registration Scotland enables landlords and agents to apply for registration with all local authorities in Scotland, track their applications and inform registering authorities of any changes to their details. Landlords receive a 10% discount by registering online.
Alternatively paper applications can be issued by Glasgow City Council by:
Phone: 0800 027 0414
Email: PrivateLandlordRegistrationUnit@drs.glasgow.gov.uk
or in writing to:
FREEPOST
RRBB-HLUT-ZBGG
Private Landlord Registration Unit
Glasgow City Council
3rd Floor
88 Bell Street
Glasgow G1 1LQ