The Letting Agent Code of Practice (Scotland) Regulations 2016 came into force on 31 January 2018 and applies to everyone carrying out letting agency work in Scotland. The Code of Practice sets out standards for letting agent services, including specific requirements on how clients’ money should be handled.

It was introduced to protect landlords and tenants while eradicating poor quality housing. It states that it will 'help raise standards (where this is needed) and help build a more effective Private Rented Sector that meets the needs of tenants, landlords and letting agents'. Read the Code of Practice...

14 Sep 2017
Fact sheet: The Letting Agent Code of Practice (Scotland) Regulations 2016

The Housing (Scotland) Act gives powers to the Scottish Government to create a Code of Practice and introduces new rules, which all letting agents must follow. Read this fact sheet to see how the code of practice affects you.

18 Jul 2018
Fact sheet: The Letting Agent Registration (Scotland) Regulations 2016

The Housing (Scotland) Act was passed on 1 August 2014 and sets out the Scottish Government’s plan to improve levels of service and professionalism from letting agents.

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Propertymark Qualifications

Specialist, regulated property qualifications which you can complete flexibly through distance learning or with additional support with a Propertymark Qualifications recognised centre.

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Training courses

Our courses cater for everyone no matter what stage you are at in your career. They are delivered by industry experts and cover a large variety of property-related subjects.

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Mygov.scot

Visit the Scottish Government website's letting agent registration guide for more information on how to apply, training, qualifications and how to renew your registration.

Joining the Letting Agent Register

Letting agents working or managing property in Scotland need to meet the minimum training standards and join the Scottish Letting Agent Register to legally trade.

Qualifications and training
Registration requires evidence that everyone in your business (who needs to) has the relevant qualification covering the essential aspects of residential letting. The qualification must be SCQF Level 6 or above.

Propertymark Qualifications is one of four training providers approved by the Scottish Government. If you achieved the Level 6 Award in Residential Letting and Property Management within the last three years then you meet the training requirement. You will need to do 20 hours additional training if you passed the qualification over three years ago. 

Fit and proper persons test
Everyone applying to be on the register will need to meet the standards laid out in a ‘fit and proper person test’. If you apply on behalf of your company, the Scottish Government may need to conduct the test on multiple people within the company.

Client Money Protection (CMP) and professional indemnity insurance
All agencies must ensure they hold client money in a dedicated client account. Many agents have found that banks and building societies provide ARLA Propertymark members easier access to dedicated accounts. You must also belong to a Client Money Protection (CMP) scheme and hold Professional indemnity insurance. Our CMP scheme meets the levels required in the Code of Practice.

What happens if i do not register?
It is a criminal offence to carry out letting agency work in Scotland if you are not on the register—with the possibility of fines of up to £50,000 and prison sentences of up to six months for those convicted. 

Application fees
The application fee is for a three-year registration and the fee you pay is determined by the number of offices your business has where letting agency work is carried out.

Related news

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Scottish Government update framework for letting agent compliance

Requirements and expectations have been clarified in an update provided to Scotland’s private rented sector (PRS), particularly on training and registration.

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Scottish Government continue to refuse LARN applications

14 applications from agents requesting a letting agent register number (LARN) have been refused by the Scottish Government, with the specifics for the refusals not yet specified in the most recent update, however, details for some of the refusals will be published shortly.

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04 Mar 2020
Scottish Letting Agent Registration figures update

The number of approved letting agents managing properties in Scotland now totals 889 with applications still undergoing the registration processes.

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20 Dec 2019
Scottish Letting Agent Registration figures update

The number of letting agents in Scotland who are now operating with a Letting Agent Registration Number (LARN) stands at 863. With 32 applications having been withdrawn.

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12 Nov 2019
Scottish Letting Agent Registration figures update

The number of letting agents in Scotland who are now operating with a Letting Agent Registration Number (LARN) stands at 837 from 977 applications received by the Scottish Government.

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01 Jul 2019
Scottish Letting Agent Registration figures update

The number of letting agents in Scotland who have now been issued with a Letting Agent Registration Number (LARN) now stands at 687 from the 938 applications received by the Scottish Government.

RoPA news

05 Mar 2024
A step closer to the regulation of property agents

Propertymark has long called for the regulation and today, 5 March 2024, gave evidence at a House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee Inquiry which examined whether there should be a new regulator as recommended by the report of the Regulation of Property Agents working group in 2019.

07 Feb 2024
How the housing market should be supported in Northern Ireland

The Devolved Government has been restored after 24 months of no activity. Whilst the Civil Service moved ahead with some actions, there are issues for the housing sector which have been on hold. Ministers must now act to make key improvements to address supply, implement the rest of the Private Tenancies Act, and rule out rent controls to protect the private rented sector.

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