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Landlords are Encouraged to Make Clear They are Complying with Legal Obligations
This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
Buy-to-let landlords are being urged to demonstrate that they are complying with all of their legal obligations. Landlords north of the border are being encouraged in this way when applying to the landlords register, in a move to encourage higher standards in the private rented sector.
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland views a government review of landlord registration applications as a way of raising awareness of reliable landlords who do fulfil their requirements. This consultation is a result of evidence that the current application process is not robust enough to ensure that all landlords are complying with, and are aware of, all the regulations necessary.
The current registration system was set up 12 years ago, and is designed to make sure landlords meet the required standards required of letting a property.
The proposed consultation will look to review adding a requirement for the applicant to confirm that they comply with certain legal obligations. This includes statements related to the condition and energy efficiency of the property, gas, electrical and fire safety, and legal obligations relating to the tenancy and deposit.
Buy-to-let landlords are being urged to demonstrate that they are complying with all of their legal obligations.
Ashley Campbell, CIH Scotland’s policy and practice manager, said: “Reviewing the landlord registration application presents a fantastic opportunity to ensure that landlords are aware of and are complying with their legal obligations.
“Our members are very supportive of measures that will support good practice in the sector. We understand that local authorities are under pressure and that increasing fees will help them to manage the registration process.
“But it will be important to make sure that those landlords who do follow the rules don’t end up subsidising the ones who don’t.
“We need to make sure that landlords have access to the information, advice and training they need to be able to provide high quality homes and services to the 330,000 households now renting privately across Scotland.
“At the same time, we want to see robust enforcement action taken against those who put tenants in danger by refusing to meet basic standards.”
