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

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

Since the introduction of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, agents have had to adapt to working with the new Private Residential Tenancy (PRT) and get to grips with what that means for them on a day to day basis. One issue that was raised as a potential problem was how to deal with joint tenancies under a PRT where one tenant wants to leave.

Despite a growing need for accessible housing, especially among over-65s and people living with disabilities and long-term health conditions, the market continues to fall short —particularly in providing bungalows and step-free properties. Propertymark analysis has highlighted the limited availability of such homes, revealing that only 3,300 new bungalows were built in 2022, while over 3 million people over 65 now live in rented accommodation. For older people and those with mobility challenges, the lack of options can force them into unsuitable housing or trap them in properties that no longer meet their needs.