Aberdeenshire Council - private rented housing info

03/08/2026

🏡 Smoke Alarms Save Lives – Is Your Property Compliant? 🚨

Whether you're a landlord or a tenant, having the right smoke and heat alarms in your home is essential for safety.

✅ Landlords Private rented properties in Scotland must have: • A smoke alarm in the room most frequently used during the day • A smoke alarm in every circulation space, such as hallways and landings • A heat alarm in the kitchen • All alarms interlinked so that when one goes off, they all sound

✅ Tenants • Test alarms regularly and report any issues to your landlord as soon as possible. • Never remove batteries or disable alarms. • Make sure everyone in the household knows what to do if an alarm sounds.

🔥 A working smoke alarm can provide those crucial extra minutes needed to escape safely in the event of a fire.

If you're unsure whether your property meets the Scottish legal requirements, take a few minutes to check today.

Every home in Scotland must have interlinked fire and smoke alarms. Find out what you need to keep your home safe and compliant with regulations.

31/07/2026

🏠 Aberdeenshire Council's Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme

The Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme helps eligible individuals, couples and families access private rented accommodation when they don't have the funds available for a deposit. Instead of paying a cash deposit, the Council can provide a deposit guarantee to participating landlords.

✅ Helps tenants access private rented accommodation
✅ Gives landlords reassurance through a deposit guarantee
✅ Encourages successful tenancies from the start
✅ Supports partnership working between landlords and Aberdeenshire Council
Whether you're a landlord with a property to let or someone looking for a place to call home, find out more about the scheme here:
👉 Further info can be found here -

30/07/2026

🏡 Landlord Registration

Here's Why It Matters
If you rent out a property in Scotland, landlord registration isn't optional – it's a legal requirement. If you're a tenant, checking your landlord is registered can give you peace of mind that they're meeting their responsibilities.

✅ For Landlords
Being registered demonstrates that you are a responsible landlord and committed to providing safe, well-managed accommodation. Registration is also a legal requirement for most private landlords renting out residential property in Scotland. Once approved, you'll receive a landlord registration number which should be included in property adverts and tenant communications.

✅ For Tenants
Landlord registration helps ensure landlords are assessed as a "fit and proper" person to let property. If you're unsure whether your landlord is registered, you can check the public register online.

Why Registration Matters
✔ Helps maintain standards in the private rented sector
✔ Supports safe and well-managed homes
✔ Ensures landlords understand their legal responsibilities
✔ Gives tenants confidence in who they are renting from
✔ Allows local authorities to take action where landlords fail to comply with the law

If a landlord has not registered when required to do so, the Council can take enforcement action.

🔍 Check a landlord's registration or apply online:
https://landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk/
📞 Need advice?
Aberdeenshire Council Private Housing Team
01467 534853
[email protected]

13/05/2026

Have a look at Under One Roof's Brand New Toolkit for tenement owners!

06/03/2026

📢 FREE Webinar for Landlords in Aberdeenshire 📢

Tenancy Deposits Explained – with SafeDeposits Scotland
Join SafeDeposits Scotland for a practical webinar covering everything you need to know about tenancy deposits in Scotland.
✅ What a tenancy deposit is
✅ Deposit protection requirements and legal timescales
✅ A practical ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) workshop
✅ Inventories, common causes of disputes, and how disputes are resolved in practice
✅ Opportunity to ask questions during the session

🔗 Register here:
👉

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

03/03/2026

🏡 Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) – What’s Changing in Scotland?

Important changes are coming to EPCs that will affect both private renters and landlords across Aberdeenshire.
🔋 New EPC Format – from 31 October 2026
Scotland is introducing a new‑look EPC, designed to give clearer and more useful information about a home’s energy performance. The new EPC will:

Replace the single A–G rating with three clear ratings:
✅ Heat Retention (how well the property keeps heat)
✅ Heating System (type, efficiency and emissions)
✅ Energy Cost (estimated running costs)
Be valid for 5 years instead of 10
Include a Property Report showing potential improvements and estimated costs
Be supported by a new digital EPC system

Existing EPCs can still be used for a short transition period. However, old‑style EPCs will no longer be valid for marketing or letting a property after 31st October 2027.

05/02/2026

📢 Attention Private Tenants

Just a reminder that private landlords and letting agents in Scotland cannot charge you any upfront fees when starting a tenancy. These charges are illegal and classed as premiums.
❌ No application fees
❌ No admin fees
❌ No credit‑check/reference check fees
❌ No inventory fees (landlords must cover this cost)
❌ No holding deposits or “key money”

A landlord or agent can only legally ask for:
✔️ Rent
✔️ A refundable tenancy deposit (capped at 2 months’ rent)

If anyone tries to charge you any of the above illegal fees, please let us know. Our Private Sector Housing Team can advise and support you.

15/01/2026

✅ Is Your Landlord Registered?
Before you rent a property, it’s important to check that your landlord is registered with the local authority. This helps ensure they meet legal standards and responsibilities.
🔍 How to Check:
Visit the Scottish Landlord Register at: www.landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk
Enter the landlord’s name or registration number to confirm their status.
❗ Can’t Find Them?
If you cannot find your landlord or a prospective landlord on the register, please let us know:
📧 Email: [email protected]

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04/12/2025

📢 Free Webinar: Damp & Mould – What Landlords Need to Know (Including New Legal Changes!)

Are you a private landlord in Aberdeenshire? Big changes are coming that will affect you!

Join Aberdeenshire Council and Under One Roof for a free online webinar on damp and mould issues and learn about:

✅ Common causes and prevention tips
✅ Practical steps to manage damp and mould
✅ New legal duties under Awaab’s Law – coming into force in Scotland from March 2026

📅 Date: 16 December 2025
🕒 Time: 12 - 1pm
📍 Location: Online
Spaces are limited – book your place now!
👉 Click here to register -

Awaab’s Law is coming to Scotland. As part of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, this important legislation will change the way that social and private landlords deal with damp and mould in their flats. Damp and mould are serious problems affecting Scotland’s tenements, damaging buildings and harm...

28/10/2025

🏠 Changes Ahead for Renting in Scotland 🏠
The Housing (Scotland) Bill 2025 has officially passed through Parliament, bringing some of the most significant reforms to the private rented sector in years.

Whether you're a landlord or a tenant, here’s what you need to know:

🔹 Rent Controls Are Coming
Local councils will soon be able to apply for Rent Control Areas, where rent increases will be capped at CPI + 1% (max 6%) per year.

🔹 Stronger Tenant Rights
Tenants will have more protection from eviction, the right to request pets and make reasonable home alterations, and more time to challenge rent increases.

🔹 New Standards for Property Conditions
Landlords will be required to act quickly on health hazards like damp and mould under new rules inspired by Awaab’s Law, coming into effect from March 2026.

🔹 Homelessness Prevention Duties
Public bodies (like councils and health services) will have a legal duty to “Ask and Act”—identifying and supporting people at risk of homelessness earlier than ever before.

📅 These changes will roll out gradually from mid to late 2026, but now is the time to get informed and prepared.

📘 For full details, visit: Scottish Parliament –

A Bill is a proposed Act of the Scottish Parliament. A Bill that is introduced in the Scottish Parliament is scrutinised and debated by MSPs.