The Letting Agent Code of Practice Regulations will come in to law in Scotland in January 2018. Measures within the code include setting up a Letting Agent Register.

From January 2018 it will be a criminal offence to carry out letting agency work in Scotland if you aren’t on the register. There are tough penalties for those who don’t comply, with fines of up to £50,000 and prison sentences of up to six months for those convicted.

Daryl McIntosh at ARLA, says that the regulatory framework will be a benefit to the industry, “The Scottish Government want to ensure the Private Rented Sector in Scotland is professional and credible. This should provide peace of mind and security to both landlords and tenants alike.

“Agents now need to implement a realistic timetable for training to ensure they meet the requirements come the commencement of the register.”

The Council of Letting Agents (CLA) also welcomed the legislation. Chair of the CLA Policy Group, Amanda Wiewiorka, said, “The CLA strongly welcomes the new regulation for letting agents which will help professionalise our sector and drive rogue players out of our market, ensuring a higher level of service for customers.”

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said, “I very much welcome the support of the industry bodies in raising awareness of these important changes to the letting agent industry.”

A Registration Guide is now available from the Scottish Government, download it at: www.mygov.scot/lettingagent- registration.”