Tapping in to the private market

Information and Guidance
This section offers information for Landlords. It also links to guidance documents on the law and best practice, mainly provided by the Scottish Executive.

The private rental market in East Lothian
East Lothian Council encourages the private rental market in the county, since housing is in short supply. Landlords who would like advice should get in touch with the Development Services section of the Department of Community Housing and Property Management on 01620 826600. Development Services has produced a short overview of the rental market in the County which is available here.

Solicitors and Estate agents
If you are new to the rental market in East Lothian you may find it useful to consult a solicitor or an Estate Agent and we provide contacts for local solicitors here and Estate Agents here. Please note that a listing does not constitute an endorsement by East Lothian Council of the firm concerned. Estate agents and Solicitors whose names are not on this list can add them, by contacting our Public Information Officer on 01620 826600.

Landlord registration
The Scottish Parliament now requires landlords to register with their local authority. This is one of a series of important changes in the law for landlords, which you can find out more about here. You can find out about registration with East Lothian Council here.

Guidance and Good Practice
For guidance on landlord-tenant relations, Communities Scotland has produced a Private Landlords Guide, which summarises the law and explains the obligations of landlord and tenant. A copy is available in the blue box on the right hand side of this page.

The Scottish Executive has set up a web site aimed at improving standards in the private sector, which includes information for landlords. It is called Better Renting Scotland and covers a wide variety of questions relating to private tenancies. In addition the Rent Registration Service offers detailed technical information. Despite the name, it is not just about fair rents and covers in some detail, key aspects of rental law and policy including:
* Houses in Multiple Occupation
* Housing Benefit
* Pre tenancy determinations
* Useful forms
* A variety of leaflets for download, which deal with topics such as the law on Assured Tenancies, how to rent a room in your house, house improvements and repairs grants.

Private Landlords Forum
We hold regular meetings to discuss issues of interest to landlords. Details of meeting times are published on the main Housing page