Many people rent their homes from a private landlord. We are working to make sure that the sector is regulated, accommodation reaches an acceptable standard, tenancies are secure and the rights of landlords and tenants are understood.
Key dates for changes
Changes to the private rented sector are coming into force over several years:
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1 April 2026: data collection power and local authority rent assessments
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1 May 2026: an offence to discriminate against tenants with children or those receiving benefits
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6 October 2026: succession rights reduced from 12 to 6 months, wrongful termination payments increased and duties on tackling damp and mould
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1 April 2027: rent adjudication changes and a new process for ending a joint tenancy
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31 May 2027: deadline for first local authority rent assessment reports
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6 November 2027: deadline for review of eviction grounds
Actions
A fairer, well-managed private rented sector benefits both tenants and responsible landlords.
To improve standards across the sector we:
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are introducing enhanced rights such as personalisation and keeping pets via changes to the law
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are introducing the power to designate rent control areas
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giving greater protection during the eviction process
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introduced the private residential tenancy to bring greater security for tenants, balanced with safeguards for landlords
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regulated the sector by registering letting agents and landlords and licensing houses in multiple occupation
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provided support with dispute resolution
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set a repairing standard to ensure properties meet a minimum standard and are introducing duties to investigate and repair reports of damp and mould within set timescales
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made it a legal duty to pay any deposit into an approved tenancy deposit scheme
Background
The Housing to 2040 strategy, is our vision for housing and how we plan to achieve it. The strategy aims to make sure all tenants have secure and stable tenancies, good quality, affordable homes, and professional standards of service and rights.
Our New Deal for Tenants: rented sector strategy consultation sought views on how to improve renting in Scotland. An analysis of the responses was published in August 2022.
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 received Royal Assent in November 2025. It helps deliver parts of the New Deal for Tenants and Housing to 2040. You can find more detail on the Scottish Parliament website. Our policy memorandum explains the intentions behind the legislation.
To stay updated on upcoming consultations, please join our consultation mailing list.
More information on renting a property and on being a landlord is available on the mygov.scot site.
Contact
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Telephone: 0300 244 4000
Post:
Scottish Government
Housing and Social Justice Directorate
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ