Council Housing Inspections: What Scottish Renters Need to Know

Living in a safe, well-maintained home is every renter’s right in Scotland. If your landlord isn’t taking care of essential repairs or your property falls below safe standards, your local council can step in to help. Here’s what you need to know about council inspections for housing conditions in Scotland, how to ask for help, and what to expect at each stage.

Understanding Council Inspections in Scotland

Local councils in Scotland are responsible for making sure privately rented homes meet certain legal standards. Inspections help ensure properties are safe, healthy, and meet the Repairing Standard set out in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.^[1]

What is the Repairing Standard?

• Your home must be wind and watertight
• Installations for water, gas, electricity, and heating must work safely
• All fixtures, fittings, and appliances supplied must be in good repair
• Your property must have satisfactory provision for detecting fires and for carbon monoxide safety

If your home doesn’t meet these requirements, your landlord has a legal duty to fix it.

When Can You Ask the Council to Inspect?

If you’ve already reported a repair to your landlord or letting agent and they haven’t resolved it within a reasonable time, you can contact your local council’s environmental health department. Councils can inspect if:

• Your home has damp, mould, or is in serious disrepair
• There are health or safety hazards (like faulty electrics, gas leaks, lack of fire detection)
• Your landlord is refusing or delaying essential repairs

The council can arrange an inspection to check whether your property is safe and meets housing standards.

How Council Inspections Work

When you contact the council, an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) may arrange to visit your property. This inspection is to assess health and safety risks, and check if your landlord is breaching the Repairing Standard or other regulations.

• The EHO will usually contact you to arrange a convenient time
• Both you and your landlord may be invited to attend the inspection
• The officer will look for hazards and assess the overall condition
• Photos and notes may be taken as evidence

After the inspection, the council can:

• Serve an Improvement Notice, requiring the landlord to carry out repairs or works
• Take emergency action if there are immediate health or safety risks
• Help you make a referral to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber)

Relevant Official Forms for Scottish Renters

• Application: Repairing Standard — Form AT6
  When to use: If your landlord isn’t resolving issues and you wish to escalate the matter to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber). Complete the ‘Repairing Standard Application Form’ (AT6), stating the repairs needed and evidence of the issue.
  Where to find: Official AT6 Repairing Standard Application form and guidance.
  Example: If your landlord ignores requests to fix hazardous electrics, you fill out Form AT6 with details and supporting documents (like council inspection reports) to seek a tribunal decision.

Taking Action: Step-by-Step

• Contact your landlord about the repair or problem — keep any communication in writing.
• If unresolved, report the issue to your local council’s environmental health department. You can usually do this online, by phone, or by letter; check your local council website.
• If the council’s action doesn’t resolve things, you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal for a ruling using the AT6 form.

This process gives you a clear route to raise concerns about property conditions and seek enforcement against your landlord if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can my landlord evict me for asking the council to inspect my flat?
   No, it’s illegal for landlords to evict or threaten eviction just because you’ve exercised your legal rights. Tenant protection rules in Scotland safeguard against this.
2. How long does a council inspection take?
   Inspections themselves usually last under an hour, but follow-up (like enforcement letters or improvement notices) may take longer depending on findings and the landlord’s response.
3. What evidence should I keep when reporting problems?
   Keep records of emails, letters, photos of the problem, and notes from any conversations. These may help during inspections or if you apply to the tribunal.
4. What if my landlord ignores a council improvement notice?
   The council can take enforcement action, and you can also submit a Repairing Standard application to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland.
5. Can I attend the inspection in person?
   Yes, the council should invite you to be present during the inspection and discuss any problems directly with the Environmental Health Officer.

Key Takeaways for Scottish Renters

• Your local council can inspect privately rented homes and require repairs for health, safety, or substandard conditions
• Helpful forms like the AT6 can help you escalate problems to the tribunal if your landlord does not act
• Always keep good records, and know that support is available from councils and advocacy services

Taking action doesn’t put your tenancy at risk — your rights are protected under Scottish law.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) — handles all Repairing Standard and tenancy cases
• Scottish Government: Tenant protection guidance
• Citizens Advice Scotland: Renting and repairs advice
• MyGov.Scot: Repairs in rented housing
• Find your local council

---

1. Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 — Repairing Standard provisions
2. First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber)
3. Repairing Standard Application Form AT6
4. MyGov.Scot landlord repair obligations

Categories

Tenant Rights & Responsibilities Rent, Deposits & Increases Tenancy Types & Agreements Moving In & Out Procedures Repairs, Maintenance & Housing Standards Eviction Notices & Repossessions Shared Housing, HMOs & Lodgers Discrimination, Harassment & Accessibility Utilities, Bills & Council Tax Affordable Housing, Social Housing & Benefits Dispute Resolution & Housing Tribunals Health, Safety & Fire Regulations Privacy, Landlord Entry & Surveillance Unusual & Special Tenancy Situations Renters’ Insurance & Liability Homelessness Support & Post-Eviction Help Landlord Duties, Licensing & Penalties Housing Law, Legal Updates & Case Studies Mental Health, Disability & Vulnerable Renters’ Rights Rent Repayment Orders & Compensation