Landlord licensing in Argyll and Bute Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

HMO licensing applies to properties shared by three or more unrelated people, requiring a licence from the council. All private landlords must also be registered on the Scottish Landlord Register.

Additional licensing

There is no separate additional licensing scheme in Argyll and Bute Council. HMO licensing and landlord registration cover shared housing arrangements in line with Scottish legislation.

Selective licensing

Argyll and Bute Council does not operate a selective licensing scheme. Landlord registration applies to all private landlords, and some councils also have short-term let control areas.

Towns covered

Argyll and Bute

What this means for you

If you let a property in the Argyll and Bute Council area, first confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. HMO licensing applies where three or more unrelated people share a property. Every private landlord must also be entered on the Scottish Landlord Register, which is maintained by councils. Some councils operate short-term let control areas that affect holiday lets. Designations, fees, and boundaries in Scotland can change, so check the council's own licensing pages before each new tenancy. Scottish lets use the Private Residential Tenancy, which is open-ended, with the Repairing Standard and tribunal-based possession grounds. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 will introduce new measures regarding tenancy terms and landlord responsibilities from 2026. Whatever the licensing position, landlords must keep specific safety and legal documents: a current gas safety record, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection and prescribed information, and all other required prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website