Landlord licensing in East Renfrewshire Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence is required if three or more unrelated people share a property and it is their only or main residence. Every private landlord must also be registered on the Scottish Landlord Register.

Additional licensing

No separate additional licensing scheme applies to general private rented properties in Scotland. HMO licensing and landlord registration cover shared housing and all private landlords.

Selective licensing

No selective licensing scheme applies to general private rented properties in Scotland. Landlord registration applies to all private landlords. Some councils may operate short-term let control areas that affect holiday lets, though this is distinct from selective licensing for long-term private rentals.

Towns covered

East Renfrewshire

What this means for you

If you let a property in the East Renfrewshire Council area, the first job is to ensure you meet all regulatory requirements. HMO licensing applies where three or more unrelated people share a property as their only or main residence. Every private landlord must also be registered on the Scottish Landlord Register, which is managed by the council. There is no separate additional or selective licensing for general private rented properties in Scotland. Landlord registration applies everywhere. Designations, fees, and boundaries can change, so check the council's own licensing pages before each new tenancy rather than relying on previous information. Scottish lets use the Private Residential Tenancy (PRT), which is open-ended, with the Repairing Standard and tribunal-based possession grounds. Landlords must hold a current EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, a current gas safety record where there is gas, deposit protection, and the required prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website