Your rights as a tenant - Private Residential Tenancy

As a tenant in a private residential tenancy, you have the following rights:

Tenancy Agreement

Your landlord must give you a tenancy agreement and notes that explain the agreement. They can either:

• Use the model tenancy agreement and give you the easy-read notes
• Create their own tenancy agreement and give you the supporting notes

Your landlord cannot put anything in your tenancy agreement that takes away your legal rights.

If your landlord has not given you the right documents, you can notify them that you will apply to the First Tier Tribunal.

If they still have not provided the documents within 28 days, apply using form D from the First Tier Tribunal’s website. Please use the following link to source ‘Form D’ for completion - Rent Forms and Guidance | Housing and Property Chamber

Doing repairs and keeping your home safe

Your landlord is responsible for most repairs in your home.

They must also provide:

• A gas safety certificate
• An electrical safety certificate
• Interlinked fire alarms

Giving notice for access

If your landlord needs to access your home for repairs, inspections or valuations, they must give you at least 48 hours' notice in writing. They can give less notice if they need access for emergency repairs.

You can refuse access if your landlord wants to visit at an unreasonable time, or turns up unannounced.

If your landlord is accessing your home without giving the proper notice, you should seek independent housing advice. This can be from organisations such as Shelter Scotland or Frontline Fife.

Giving notice of a rent increase

Your landlord can put your rent up any time in the first year of your tenancy, and once every 12 months after that.

They must send you a rent-increase notice at least 3 months in advance of the change.

You have the right to challenge a rent increase. This can be done by applying to the First Tier Tribunal.