The Edinburgh Landlord Register: What You Need to Know
The Edinburgh Landlord Register: What You Need to Know
If you let a residential property in Edinburgh — whether through a letting agent or privately — you're legally required to be on the Scottish Landlord Register. There are no exceptions for small landlords or family lets. Here's what you need to know.
Who needs to register?
Every person who lets a residential property in Scotland must register with their local council. This includes:
- Private landlords letting directly to tenants
- Landlords who use a letting agent (the agent's registration doesn't cover you — you need your own)
- Joint owners — all owners must be named on the registration
- Landlords living outside Scotland or outside the UK
How to register
- Go to landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk
- Create an account and fill in your personal details
- Add each property you let
- Pay the fee
- The council will process your application (this can take several weeks)
Costs
- First property: approximately £65 (the principal fee)
- Each additional property: approximately £15
- Renewal every 3 years: same fees apply
These fees are set by the Scottish Government and are the same across Scotland.
The fit and proper person test
The council checks whether you are a "fit and proper person" to be a landlord. They consider:
- Criminal convictions (especially for fraud, violence, drugs, or housing offences)
- Whether you've been refused registration or had it revoked before
- Whether you've breached housing or antisocial behaviour legislation
- Any relevant civil court actions against you
Most applicants pass without issue. The council may attach conditions to your registration or refuse it if there are concerns.
What happens if you don't register?
Letting a property without registration is a criminal offence:
- Fines of up to £50,000
- Your tenant can apply for a Rent Penalty Notice — meaning they don't have to pay rent until you register
- The council can issue a Rent Relief Order requiring you to repay rent to the tenant
- Letting agents cannot legally market a property for an unregistered landlord
Checking a landlord's registration
Tenants can check whether their landlord is registered by searching the public register. If your landlord isn't registered, you can report them to the City of Edinburgh Council.
Letting agent registration
Letting agents have a separate registration requirement — they must be on the Scottish Letting Agent Register and comply with the Letting Agent Code of Practice. This is in addition to, not instead of, the landlord's own registration.
List your property on Rent in Edinburgh — it's free for registered landlords and agents.