Guidance setting out the responsibilities of private rent sector landlords, for ensuring their property meets updated standards, has been published by the Scottish Government.
From the 1st of March 2024, all private rented properties will be required to have central heating, a kitchen with adequate space and facilities to prepare and store food and common areas that are safe to use and properly maintained.
Housing Secretary Shona Robison said: “Landlords have one year to meet our updated Repairing Standard, which will improve the condition of private rented property, make homes safer and ensure consistency between the social and private rented sectors.
“The majority of private landlords will already be meeting these standards. The guidance published today will help landlords better understand their responsibilities and ensure those who do need to carry out works can do so in advance of the 1 March 2024 deadline.
“All rented homes are required to meet standards that ensure they are free from damp and mould, and this guidance will help us to ensure this happens in the private rented sector.”
Properties will also need a circuit breaker device that reduces the risk of electrocution and fire, with the existing requirements for safe gas and electrical systems also being extended to other fuel types.
The guidance also covers the action landlords must already take to prevent damp and mould.
The full guidance and advice paper was published at the start of March, giving a full year for Landlords to meet these standards for repairs. The paper aims to equip private landlords with a full picture of what they should do to ensure compliance.
The full paper can be read at https://www.gov.scot/publications/repairing-standard-statutory-guidance-landlords/pages/1/