Please include name and corresponding registration number of each local authority with which you have registered
If you are you a member of the Council of Letting Agents (CLA) please provide your membership number
If you are you a member of Scottish Land and Estates please provide your membership number
Section One - Agency details
Section Two - Fees
Number of properties under management
Accreditation Fee (excluding VAT)
How many properties do you manage?
Section Three - Your rental properties
Please use the section below to provide a full list of property addresses currently managed by your agency. If your agency manages more properties than can be listed below, please provide the list separately. Please note that the address must include postcode and local authority areas. An updated property list will be requested on an annual basis
Letting Agent Accreditation Checklist
The following is a checklist that agents must meet or be working towards in order to be awarded accredited status. If you require more details about a particular standard, please refer to the Scottish National Core Standards for Accredited Landlords & Letting Agents which is the basis of Landlord Accreditation Scotland. Please check the LAS website for full details:
You should select yes beside each point only if you are certain that you are complying with the standard required.
As the Letting agent I confirm that:
We comply in full with The Letting Agent Code of Practice which sets out the standards expected of letting agents operating in Scotland in how they manage their business and provide their services
We are registered with the Scottish Letting Agent Register or are in the process of doing so and will be registered by 1 October 2018 in line with the deadline set by Scottish Government
We have staff who are qualified in line with the requirements of the The Letting Agent Code of Practice (Scotland) Regulations 2016
Our staff are qualified with/becoming qualified with:
Standard 1 - Communication with tenants
We communicate clearly and promptly with the tenant on any matter that affects the property and its management
Standard 2 - Equality Issues
We practice equal opportunities in managing my/our properties. We do not treat any person or group any less favourably because of race, colour, ethnic origin, sex or disability or sexual orientation when letting or managing property
Standard 2 - Complaints
At the outset of the tenancy we will advise the tenant in writing of the way/s that any complaints should be registered and will keep a record of any complaints and the outcome of any complaints
Standard 2 - Disputes
We will seek to resolve any dispute involving the tenant or the property, including neighbour disputes, promptly and lawfully
Standard 3 - Management of the Tenancy
We are registered with the local authority Private Landlord Registration Scheme and therefore meet the requirements of that scheme until the Scottish Government direct us to do otherwise because of Letting Agent Registration guidance
Standard 3 - Pre-Letting Procedures
Where applicable, we have confirmation from our clients that permission from the mortgage lender to use the property for letting purposes has been sought and agreed
We have confirmation from our clients that adequate buildings and third party liability insurance cover is in place
We do not charge any tenant a fee for the drawing up or copying of the tenancy agreement, or any referencing fee
I/we provide any new tenant with the required Easy Read Notes or Statutory Supporting Notes to accompany a Private Residential Tenancy
Standard 3 - The Tenancy Agreement
When letting a property, we provide a written tenancy agreement setting out the terms of the let and any relevant notices, notice periods which will be required and the responsibilities of the landlord and tenant(s) in relation to payment of rent, bills repairs and behaviour
The name of the landlord is stated on the tenancy agreement
Standard 3 - Rent and Other Charges
We charge a reasonable rent, taking into account the size and condition of the property
We provide receipts for rental payments, except when payments are received electronically or by direct debit/standing order
We provide a rent book where rent is paid weekly.
Standard 3 – Deposit
We do not discriminate against a prospective tenant who intends to obtain a deposit, rent or rent guarantee from a recognised scheme designed to help low-income tenants gain access to private rented accommodation
We limit tenancy deposits to no more than two months’ rent
We provide a receipt for any tenancy deposit requested, clearly stating what is covered by the tenancy deposit
We will ensure that any deposit paid to the agency will be lodged within 30 working days of the start of the tenancy agreement in line with Scottish tenancy deposit regulations
Standard 3 – Inventory
We provide a detailed inventory, which the tenant(s) is given seven working days to check and agree, which can be amended if required and copied to the tenant(s)
We provide contact numbers for emergency and non-emergency repair work
Standard 4 - Minimum Property Condition
All our managed properties meet the minimum standards of fitness defined by legislation
See section 4. 4.1 & 4.2 of the Scottish National Core Standards and Good Practice Guidance for Private Landlords – Housing Act (Scotland) 1987 section 86 as amended Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 section 11
We confirm that (where relevant) all reasonable steps will be taken to notify our clients of matters relating to the maintenance of the common elements of the building, which are a shared responsibility with other co-owners
Standard 5 - Repairing Standard
We have read and understand that any let property must meet the Repairing Standard and must continue to meet all elements of the Repairing Standard for the duration of any tenancy
see section 5.4 of the Scottish National Core Standards and Good Practice Guidance for Private Landlords – Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 section 19
We will inspect the property before a tenancy starts for the purpose of identifying any work necessary to comply with the Repairing Standard and notify the tenants of any such work
We will arrange for repairs and maintenance to be carried out within a reasonable time period, providing proper notice for access
We will provide a fixed space heating appliance or a central heating system (and appropriate ventilation) that works effectively in each living room and bedroom
Standard 6 - Repairs and Maintenance
We will provide the tenant(s) with information regarding what constitutes an emergency
We understand that the tenant must give reasonable access to the property but that we must give 24 hours advance notice in writing of our intention to enter the property – except where an emergency repair is required.
All properties under management are in good decorative order
Standard 7 - Facilities & Fittings
We confirm that sinks, baths, showers, wash hand basin (with hot and cold water) and WCs must meet the requirements of the Tolerable Standard
See section 7.1 of the Scottish National Core Standards and Good Practice Guidance for Private Landlords – Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 section 86 (as amended)
We confirm that there is adequate storage space within the property for the storage of refuse
Standard 8 - Energy Efficiency, Insulation and Heating
Where necessary and practical we will undertake to recommend measures to our clients to improve energy efficiency, including hot water tank and pipe lagging and adequate insulation to roof void areas
See section 8 of the Scottish National Core Standards and Good Practice Guidance for Private Landlords
Standard 9 - Health, Safety and Home Security
Where the property has a gas supply we will ensure that the annual gas safety check is carried out by a Gas Safe registered contractor and a copy of the gas safety certificate is given to tenant(s)
Where the property has a gas supply we retain records of safety checks for at least two years
Where the property has a gas supply we have provided the tenant(s) with written instruction on what to do if there is a gas leak or a fault in a gas appliance
We instruct an EICR (Electrical inspection condition report) at regular intervals as determined by approved electricians and in line with any relevant legislation
We ensure that all contents including the lampshades and furniture incorporating glass comply with the General Product (Safety) Regulations 1994 and other relevant legislation
See section 8.11 of the Scottish National Core Standards and Good Practice Guidance for Private Landlords – The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988
We provide fire protection measures appropriate to the number of occupiers and the size and layout of accommodation in line with published guidance from the Private Rented Housing Panel
See Housing (Scotland) Act 2006: Scottish Government Guidance on satisfactory provision for detecting and warning of fire
We inform our clients of their responsibility to carry out a risk assessment with regard to Legionnaires Disease in line with the HSE Approved Code of Practice and guidance
We ensure that the accommodation has secure window locks and secure front and rear access doors (where appropriate) that do not prejudice means for escape in case of fire
Letting Agent Declaration
We would like to apply to become an accredited letting agent
We confirm that we have read and meet or are working towards meeting the standards outlined in the Scottish Core Standards for Accredited Landlords and Letting Agents
We will not knowingly supply false information in relation to Landlord Accreditation Scotland
We agree to provide updated property lists, annually Landlord Accreditation Scotland.
We will allow a representative of or person appointed by Landlord Accreditation Scotland to visit the property (if necessary) to confirm that standards are being met
We confirm that we ensure attendance of at least one member of staff at a minimum of one Core Standard training session annually
We confirm that we have copies of the following documentation (where applicable) and can provide copies if requested by Landlord Accreditation Scotland:
- THE TENANCY AGREEMENT(S)
- LANDLORD/AGENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
- INFORMATION GIVEN TO THE TENANT ON HOW TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT AND HOW THE COMPLAINT WILL BE DEALT WITH (IF NOT INCLUDED IN THE TENANCY AGREEMENT)
- GAS SAFETY CERTIFICATE (where applicable)
- ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONDITION REPORT (EICR)
- PORTABLE APPLIANCE TEST CERTIFICATE
- ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE
- LEGIONELLA RISK ASSESSMENT
- HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION (HMO) LICENCE(S) (where applicable)
We confirm that, where we have been unable to resolve a dispute with a tenant(s) that we are willing to use mediation services to try and resolve the dispute (subject to the tenant’s agreement)
We confirm that we understand that we must meet or work towards meeting, the requirements of the Scottish Core Standard for Accredited Landlords and Letting Agents in order to be accredited, and that we may have accredited status revoked if there is evidence that we are not meeting any part of the Standards. Landlord Accreditation Scotland’s decision on whether accredited status should be revoked is final.
We understand that to ensure consistency, information about my application could be shared with a local authority where a local authority partnership is in place
Name of applicant on behalf of agency
Further information on completing the form can be obtained from the LAS office. Tel: 0131 553 2211
Thank you for completing the application form. Landlord Accreditation Scotland will now process this application and should we require any clarification or further information regarding your application we will contact you within 10 working days of receiving your form. If we are able to proceed with your application without contacting you, we will endeavour to complete the application process within 20 working days.
