It’s a good idea to ensure that the landlord is accredited
by Landlord Accreditation Scotland. This means that they should both offer
good quality accommodation and operate to higher standards than other landlords
and letting agents.
What is
accreditation?
The aim of Landlord Accreditation Scotland is to raise
standards in the private rented sector by encouraging landlords to maintain and
manage their properties to a high standard.
To become accredited, landlords and letting agents must
stick to the ‘Scottish Core Standards for Accredited Landlords’. The standards
relate to property management and the physical condition of properties.
What
are the core standards for accredited landlords?
The core standards cover issues such as:
Communication –
for example, your landlord must supply you with information about your tenancy
in plain English.
Equality –
your landlord cannot discriminate against you in any way.
Complaints –
your landlord must tell you how to make a complaint about their service.
Deposits –
for example, your landlord must give you a written statement explaining what
your deposit covers and what you need to do to get it back.
Repairs –
for example, the property must meet the repairing standard. All repairs
must be carried out within a reasonable amount of time.
Energy efficiency –
the property must be sufficiently well insulated, and have an efficient, safe
and economical to run heating system and energy efficient hot water supply.
Safety – for
example, your landlord must provide smoke alarms.
You can find out more about the standards by visiting the Landlord
Accreditation website or by contacting the Landlord Accreditation
Scotland office on 0131 553 2211.
What
are the benefits of renting from an accredited landlord or letting agent?
Benefits include:
Good quality accommodation
Repairs undertaken within agree timescales
Provision of information and advice regarding your tenancy
Assurance that your landlord operates to high management
standards
Confidence that your landlord or letting agent is
professional and reputable
a means for making complaints about your landlord, should
anything go wrong.
How do
I find an accredited landlord or letting agent?
When you’re looking for a place to rent, check for the Landlord
Accreditation Scotland logo on property adverts or in letting agents’ windows.
Letting agents should also have a copy of their accreditation certificate on
display in their office.
Before you agree to rent a property from an accredited
landlord or letting agent, ask to see their Accreditation Certificate. You can
also ask for a copy of the core standards, which explain the quality standards
with which your landlord must comply.
If you’re in any doubt, contact Landlord Accreditation
Scotland they we will confirm whether the landlord or letting agent is
accredited.
What if
I want to make a complaint about an accredited landlord or letting agent?
All accredited landlords and letting agents should have
their own formal complaints procedure, so if you’re not happy with the service
you’re receiving or you don’t believe the core standards are being met, you
should first raise the issue with your landlord or letting agent using that
process. They should provide you with information about their complaints process
when you take on your tenancy.
If you’re not happy with the way your landlord or letting
agent deals with your complaint, you can take the matter to Landlord
Accreditation Scotland. You must make your complaint to Landlord
Accreditation Scotland in writing, either in a letter, by email or via the
online form at the Landlord
Accreditation Scotland website.
You must include in your letter or email:
The name of your landlord or letting agent
Information about the complaint or dispute
Steps you have taken to bring this complaint or dispute to
your landlord or letting agent’s attention
How long the dispute or problem has been going on for
How you would like the issue to be resolved
Your name, address and telephone number (Landlord
Accreditation Scotland can’t accept anonymous complaints).
If Landlord Accreditation Scotland discovers that your
landlord has breached the core standards in any way, they will work with them
to put the problem right. They can also suspend or remove their accreditation,
and report them to other authorities, such as the council or the police.
You can find out more about complaining to Landlord
Accreditation Scotland at the Landlord
Accreditation Scotland website.
