Why it's compulsory

The letting agent register is designed to make sure that anyone conducting letting agency work is a suitable person (‘fit and proper person’) to do the job and certain staff have completed the necessary qualification and training.

It is a criminal offence to do letting agency work if you are not on the register.

If convicted, you could face a fine of up to £50,000, up to six months imprisonment or both.

Part 4 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 makes provision for the regulation of letting agents.

The system includes:

• compulsory registration
• a statutory Code of Practice with a means of redress
• effective monitoring compliance and enforcement

The Scottish Government manages this mandatory register. Registration will be for three years.

Find out more about information about the legal requirements for letting agents.