Landlord licensing in West Lothian Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

HMO licensing applies where three or more unrelated people share a property as their only or main residence. The property must be licensed by West Lothian Council. Full details and application forms are available on the council's website.

Additional licensing

West Lothian Council does not operate an additional licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation beyond the statutory HMO licensing. All private landlords must be registered on the Scottish Landlord Register.

Selective licensing

West Lothian Council does not operate a selective licensing scheme for private rented properties. All private landlords must be registered on the Scottish Landlord Register. Short-term let control areas may affect holiday lets, but these are distinct from selective licensing.

Typical fees

The fee for landlord registration in Scotland is £68.50 for a principal landlord, plus £22.00 for each property. There is a 10% discount for online applications. HMO licence fees vary based on property size; contact the council for current rates.

Towns covered

West Lothian

What this means for you

If you let a property in the West Lothian Council area, you must register as a landlord via the Scottish Landlord Register. Landlord registration is mandatory for all private landlords in Scotland. HMO licensing applies where three or more unrelated people share a property as their main residence. There are no separate additional or selective licensing schemes in West Lothian. Always check the council's own licensing pages before each new tenancy, as designations, fees, and boundaries can change. Scottish lets use the Private Residential Tenancy, which is open-ended, with the Repairing Standard and tribunal-based possession grounds. Ensure a current gas safety record, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection, prescribed information, and all required prescribed documents are served before the tenancy starts.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website