Letting agents in Scotland are being reminded to join a new register, designed as part of a range of measures to raise standards across the private rented sector.

All businesses which carry out letting agency work should submit their application for the Scottish Letting Agent Register by 1 October 2018.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “We are committed to improving standards across the private rented sector. The regulation of letting agents, including mandatory registration and the Letting Agent Code of Practice, will help us to do this.

“Registration will give tenants and landlords assurance that agents allowed to operate in Scotland are suitable to do so and have met a minimum standard of training on letting agency work.

“With under a month to go until the deadline for submitting an application to the Scottish Letting Agent Register, it is essential that all letting agents who wish to continue to work in Scotland get their application in on time.”

To be admitted to the register, those in control of the business must pass a ‘fit and proper’ person test and key individuals in the business must have a relevant qualification.

After the deadline of 1 October, it will be an offence to carry out letting agency work without having joined, or applied to join the register.

Alongside registration, all those carrying out letting agency work must comply with a statutory Letting Agent Code of Practice. This sets out the standards of practice that all agents must meet in providing their services to landlords and tenants and gives tenants and landlords a means to challenge poor practice through the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber).

Further information is available for letting agents, landlords and tenants.