Scotland landlord licensing
Published · Updated
Scotland doesn't use council-by-council selective licensing like England. Instead, the official position is: national landlord registration. The fees below are as published on the official site, last checked on 12 October 2026.
| Selective licensing | |
|---|---|
| Status | n/a - national landlord registration |
| Area / wards | All Scotland |
| Start | Check with the council |
| End | Check with the council |
| Additional HMO licensing | |
| Status | n/a |
| Area / wards | Check with the council |
| Start | Check with the council |
| End | Check with the council |
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Check with the council |
| Fees as stated by the official source | £85 principal + £20 per property; £42.50 per extra authority; late fee £170; renew every 3 years |
| Official source | https://landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk/fees-information |
| Last checked | 12 October 2026 |
What this means for landlords
Registration is national, so the same rules apply wherever in Scotland your property is. Check the official site for the current fees and what counts as a licence versus registration.
Fees: £85 principal + £20 per property; £42.50 per extra authority; late fee £170; renew every 3 years
Scotland licensing FAQs
Do I need a property licence to rent out a home in Scotland?
Scotland uses national landlord registration rather than council selective licensing. Check the official source for your situation.
How much is a landlord licence in Scotland?
As stated on the official source: £85 principal + £20 per property; £42.50 per extra authority; late fee £170; renew every 3 years.
When was this page last checked?
We last checked the official source on 12 October 2026. Schemes change, so confirm with the council before you apply.
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- Deposit Protection for Landlords: The 30-Day Rule and Prescribed Information
- Gas safety certificate expiry calculator
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Start free for 1 monthGeneral information, not legal advice. Licensing schemes change, so confirm with the council before you let or apply.