The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 received Royal Assent in November, bringing new rules that'll affect how you manage your properties.
Changes will be phased largely between 2026-2028, so now is the time to prepare. We'll keep you updated every step of the way and your local branch can assist too.
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 will bring change to the private rental sector. The main goals can be summarized as:
Improve housing standards across Scotland
Give tenants stronger rights and protections
Control rent increases in certain areas
While we're still waiting for some of the finer details, now's the perfect time to start getting your properties ready.
You might have heard about Awaab's Law already - it's been affecting social landlords for a while. From March 2026, it'll apply to private landlords too.
The law means that properties need to be free from damp and mould, and you'll need to deal with any issues quickly. If there's a health risk, you'll have strict timelines to investigate and fix the problem.
Here's what you should do right now:
Check all your properties for damp and mould issues
Include damp and mould checks in your mid-tenancy inspections
Don't wait for tenants to report problems - be proactive
Local councils can now apply to create Rent Control Areas (RCAs) with approval from Scottish Ministers. If your property's in one of these areas, there'll be caps on how much you can increase rent.
The rules are:
Rent increases capped at CPI** + 1% (maximum 6% per year)
Applies during existing tenancies and between tenancies
Some properties are exempt (mid-market rent, build-to-rent, purpose-built student accommodation)
Rent controls aren't expected until 2028, but councils must complete their assessments by May 2027. Start keeping detailed rent records now - you'll thank yourself later when compliance time comes.
Yes, and this is a big change. Tenants can now ask to keep pets or make reasonable alterations like decorating or putting up shelves.
You'll have 30 days to respond - and here's the catch: if you don't reply, it automatically counts as a refusal. If you refuse without good reason, tenants can challenge you at the First-tier Tribunal.
It's worth reviewing your tenancy agreements to make sure they reflect these new rights.
This one's simple but worth noting. Tenants now have 30 days to challenge a rent increase instead of 21 days.
It's a small change, but make sure you factor this into your planning when issuing rent increase notices.
There are two key changes here that affect how tenancies can end and who can inherit them:
A single joint tenant can now end their tenancy without needing everyone else to agree
Family members only need to live in the property for 6 months (down from 12) to succeed to a tenancy
The Tribunal now has more power to consider both tenant and landlord circumstances before granting an eviction. They can also delay the process if they think it's needed.
Here's what you really need to know: damages for unlawful eviction have jumped to 36 times the monthly rent. The Tribunal must also notify local authorities or police if they find an unlawful eviction.
Don't wait until the last minute. Here's your action plan:
Inspect all properties for damp and mould before March 2026
Include damp and mould checks in upcoming mid-tenancy inspections
Start keeping detailed rent records for future RCA compliance
Update your tenancy agreements to reflect new response times for pets and alterations
Plan for stricter eviction rules and higher penalties
Stay informed - more detailed regulations are coming over the next two years
We're here to help you navigate these new rules. Our local branches can provide tailored advice and compliance support to make sure you're ready for what's coming.
Contact your local branch today for expert guidance on preparing your properties and updating your processes.
*Updated 30th December 2025
** Consumer Price Index
