Scotland · Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 ss.13-17 · 7 Elements Including Fixed Heating in Every Room · From February 2022: Mandatory Interlinked Smoke Alarms + Heat Alarm (Kitchen) + CO Alarm (Combustion Appliances) · FTT Referral · RSEO · Rent Suspension Order

Scottish Repairing Standard 2026 — Landlord Guide to Housing (Scotland) Act 2006

The Scottish Repairing Standard (Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 ss.13-17, as amended by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 and February 2022 fire/smoke alarm update) requires all private rented properties in Scotland to meet 7 elements: structurally sound; wind and watertight; water supply; gas installations; drainage; fixed cooking facilities; adequate fixed heating in every room. From February 2022: mandatory interlinked ceiling-mounted smoke alarms (all living rooms, hallways, landings); heat alarm (kitchen); CO alarm (where fixed combustion appliances installed). Tenant can refer to First-tier Tribunal; RSEO; Rent Suspension Order if landlord fails to comply.

13 min readUpdated 7 June 2026Last reviewed: 17 May 2026repairing standardscotlandhousing scotland act 2006smoke alarm

The 7 Repairing Standard elements

Sections 13-14 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 set out the 7 elements: (1) structurally sound and in good repair — walls, roof, floors, chimney stacks; (2) wind and watertight and fit for habitation — windows, doors, roof covering, damp proof courses; (3) water supply — adequate hot and cold water, properly installed plumbing; (4) gas installations properly installed and in safe working order (where fitted); (5) drainage and sanitation satisfactory; (6) satisfactory cooking facilities — fixed cooking range (hob and oven); food storage area or refrigerator space; (7) adequate fixed heating in every room — gas CH, electric storage heaters, or heat pump; portable heaters do not satisfy this element.

February 2022 fire and smoke alarm update

From 1 February 2022, Scottish Repairing Standard alarm requirements were significantly upgraded: (a) ceiling-mounted interlinked smoke alarm in every living room, hallway, and landing; (b) ceiling-mounted interlinked heat alarm in every kitchen; (c) carbon monoxide (CO) detector in every room with a fixed combustion appliance (gas boiler; gas fire; wood burner; oil boiler). All smoke and heat alarms must be interlinked (wired or wireless) and long-life lithium battery or mains-powered. Standard 9V battery alarms are no longer compliant.

First-tier Tribunal referral, RSEO, and Rent Suspension Order

A tenant who believes the property fails the Repairing Standard can refer to the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber). The Tribunal can issue a Repairing Standard Enforcement Order (RSEO) requiring specified works within a set timeframe. If the landlord fails to comply with an RSEO, the Tribunal can issue a Rent Suspension Order (RSO) — the landlord cannot collect rent while the RSO is in force. The RSO is lifted only when the required works are completed.

Scottish Repairing Standard vs England/Wales Section 11

Scotland's Repairing Standard is more demanding than Section 11 LTA 1985 (England/Wales) in key respects: Scotland requires fixed heating in every room (not just that heating installations are maintained); Scotland requires a fixed cooking range; Scotland's February 2022 alarm standard requires interlinked ceiling-mounted alarms throughout. Multi-jurisdiction landlords must apply the correct standard separately in each jurisdiction.

Templates recommended in this guide

ComplianceLS-E-020

Landlord Annual Compliance Checklist

Annual walk-through of every compliance touchpoint: gas, electrical, EPC, smoke/CO, Right-to-Rent, deposit, licensing, database registration.

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