The Scottish Government has issued new guidance to all local authorities on regulating landlords in the private rented sector.

The Landlord Registration Statutory Guidance will support local authorities to effectively regulate the landlord registration system, which requires councils to maintain a register of private landlords and ensure that only landlords it judges to be fit and proper are allowed on the register.

Landlord registration gives local authorities the ability to control and regulate who can operate legitimately as a private landlord.

Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “The private rented sector plays an increasingly important role in Scotland’s housing system. Around 760,000 people in Scotland live in privately rented homes - twice the number of ten years ago.

“I want to see a sector that is characterised by more good quality homes, being managed professionally and where tenants feel secure. Where there are poor standards, local authorities should be taking tough, targeted enforcement to ensure every landlord is fit for purpose.

“I would like to encourage all local authorities to use this guidance and examples of best practice to raise standards in the sector and ensure greater consistency in enforcement across Scotland.”

The guidance highlights best practice examples where local authorities are using their landlord registration powers to deliver improvements in the sector.

Examples include communicating effectively with all landlords on the register and successful working with the police and other agencies to take action against landlords who deliberately flout the law.