Scottish landlords face new repair deadlines from today

Landlords in Scotland face new deadlines from today for tackling damp and mould and higher potential payments for wrongful termination under new rules.

Propertymark is urging landlords and letting agents to review their procedures as the reforms also change who can inherit a tenancy.

For wrongful termination, the potential award rises from up to six months’ rent to between three and 36 times the relevant sum, subject to the statutory calculation.

The increased awards apply where tenants leave a property on or after 6 October 2026.

Wrongful termination warning

Hazel MacIver, the organisation’s policy and campaigns officer, said: “Tenants can apply to the First-tier Tribunal for a ‘Wrongful Termination Order’ if they believe their landlord misled them into leaving a private residential tenancy agreement by relying on an eviction ground that did not apply.

“As the potential awards increase significantly, landlords and agents must ensure possession procedures are followed carefully, with eviction grounds genuine and properly evidenced.”

She added: “For landlords and agents, robust processes and compliance will be essential.

“Propertymark continues to engage with the Scottish Government to support clear and workable implementation of these reforms.”

Damp and mould deadlines

Private landlords must ensure a competent person investigates reports of damp or mould within 10 working days when they become aware of an issue in a property covered by the Repairing Standard.

A written summary must reach the tenant within three working days of the investigation ending.

Where substantial damp or mould is identified, remedial work must begin within five working days.

That work must then be completed as soon as reasonably practicable.

Tenancy succession changes

The reforms also cut the qualifying period for someone to have lived in a property before becoming eligible to inherit a private residential tenancy following the tenant’s death.

For relevant tenancies, the period falls from 12 months to six where the tenant dies on or after 6 October 2026.

Ms MacIver said the succession changes were aimed at supporting grieving families and people with long-term carers.

She said tenancy successions were relatively rare, but landlords and agents needed to understand the increased flexibility should such a situation arise.