Private Landlord Registration
Private Rented Housing Panel
The Private Rented Housing Panel (prhp) can help Scottish tenants and landlords resolve their differences. From 3 September 2007, the prhp will provide tenants with a way to force landlords to do necessary repairs.
This independent non departmental public body will hear cases where tenant has complained that a rented property does not meet the repairing standard. Tenants of landlords who have not kept property up to the repairing standard can take their cases to this tribunal. Previously, repairs disputes were handled by the Sheriff Court.
Landlords will be given every opportunity to resolve repairing issues. If the case is brought before the panel and there is a breach of the Repairing Standard, a Repairing Standard Enforcement Notice will be served on the property.
If the Landlord does not or cannot carry out the work specified in the Repairing Standard Enforcement Notice, Section 36 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 allows a local authority to carry out work required by a Private Rented Housing Committee.
Local authorities will be able to recover costs of work done under section 36 of the Act. A local authority will be able to place a repayment charge on a house, in order to secure money owed to it for work done under section 36. It will be an offence to re-let property covered by a repairing standard enforcement order.
More information can be found at www.prhpscotland.gov.uk.
