Press Release
17^th March 2006

Landlords Must Register or be Shown the Door
MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has warned all private landlords in Inverclyde that they must register their properties before the 30^th April deadline or be hit with a £5,000 fine.

Mr McNeil said the new registration system will help improve the quality of private rented property in the area, by ensuring that all landlords understand their legal responsibilities and forcing rogue landlords from the market.

By the end of next month, all owners of the 1,800 privately rented properties in Inverclyde must have submitted an application to register with Inverclyde Council, or face a £5,000 fine or the withholding of their rental income.

Speaking as the deadline draws near, Mr McNeil said:

“Of course many private landlords do take their responsibilities seriously.  But there is a minority who exploit both the system and their tenants.  They refuse to deal with their antisocial tenants and are happy to leave neighbours to fend for themselves and let their properties go to rack and ruin, so long as they can rake in the rent cheques every month.

“By creating a private landlord registration system, tenants and neighbours can be reassured that the landlord is reputable and has been considered fit and proper.”

Fees have been set by the Executive to cover the expected costs of the scheme. These are £55 per landlord and a further £11 per property. The Executive has also committed over £5 million to councils across Scotland to help implement the scheme.  Fees for online applications are discounted by 10%.

Landlords should visit www.landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk or contact Inverclyde Council to register.
ENDS

Notes
The Executive’s website on the private rented sector www.betterrentingscotland.com contains full information and advice for landlords, tenants and neighbours.

Under Part 8 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, private landlords must apply for registration with their local authority.  It will now be an offence to let any house after 30^th April without being registered or having applied to be registered.  Unregistered landlords face having their rental income withheld or a £5,000 fine.

To place a landlord on their register, the local authority will have to be satisfied that they are a fit and proper person to let property. The authority can take into account any relevant information including:

• Any relevant convictions, particularly in relation to fraud, violence or drugs;
• Any evidence that the applicant has failed to take adequate steps to deal with antisocial behaviour in his or her properties;
• Any evidence that the applicant has failed to comply with the law relating to housing or letting, including management, money and physical issues;
• Any evidence that the applicant has practised illegal discrimination in any business activity; and
• The fact and nature of an agency arrangement for the management of the property.

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