England · Private rented sector
Landlord templates, Dunbar.
Tenancy agreements, notices, and compliance documents for Dunbar landlords. All documents updated for the Renters' Rights Act 2025, effective 1 May 2026.
Landlord count (est.)
1,900
Local authority
East Lothian Council
Distance to Edinburgh
27 miles west (rail ~30 min)
Main transport link
East Coast Main Line; A1 dual carriageway
Tenancy framework
Scottish PRT (periodic from outset)
Dunbar rental market, what landlords need to know
Dunbar is a coastal market town in East Lothian, situated approximately 27 miles east of Edinburgh on the A1 and the East Coast Main Line. The town sits at the mouth of the John Muir Country Park and is the birthplace of the naturalist John Muir. East Lothian Council is headquartered in Haddington (8 miles west). Dunbar's railway station on the East Coast Main Line provides fast direct services to Edinburgh Waverley (approximately 30 minutes), Berwick-upon-Tweed (approximately 35 minutes south), and connections to London King's Cross. The A1 dual carriageway provides road access. Key employers in the wider East Lothian area include East Lothian Council, NHS Lothian, the agricultural and food-processing sectors (Haddo Farm Dairies; Scottish agricultural heartland), and the offshore energy and wind energy sector (East Lothian has significant onshore and offshore wind installations). Dunbar Harbour serves a small fishing fleet. Rental demand is supported by Edinburgh commuters (30-minute rail connection), East Lothian Council and NHS Lothian employees, and workers in the renewable energy and agricultural sectors. The East Lothian housing market has seen strong price growth as Edinburgh commuters seek more affordable alternatives. Scottish PRT applies; Scottish Landlord Registration mandatory at register.landlord.gov.scot with East Lothian Council.
Essential documents for Dunbar landlords
View all →Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement
The new default English tenancy from 1 May 2026. Periodic from day one, with the prescribed written statement of terms built in. Ships with the Form 4A rent-increase notice template and an Information Sheet delivery acknowledgement form so a buying landlord has every Phase-1 compliance document in one pack.
Section 8 Notice Pack (All Grounds)
Every mandatory and discretionary ground on the new 2026 list, pre-labelled with the notice period, arrears threshold, and evidence block.
Landlord Annual Compliance Checklist
Annual walk-through of every compliance touchpoint: gas, electrical, EPC, smoke/CO, Right-to-Rent, deposit, licensing, database registration.
Renters' Rights Act Transition Pack
For landlords who need to migrate existing ASTs onto the new regime. The single most-searched landlord product of 2026.
What changes for Dunbar landlords on 1 May 2026
- → Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions permanently abolished, use Section 8
- → All new tenancies must use Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreements, no more ASTs
- → Rent increases via Section 13 only, contractual review clauses unenforceable
- → Pet requests must be considered, blanket ‘no pets’ policies are unlawful
- → Private landlord database registration coming, date TBC
Dunbar landlord FAQs
Does the Renters' Rights Act 2025 apply to landlords in Dunbar?
No. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (RRA 2025), which abolished Section 21 and new fixed-term tenancies in England from 1 May 2026, applies only in England. Landlords in Dunbar and throughout Scotland operate under the Scottish Private Residential Tenancy (PRT) framework under the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016. Scottish PRT tenancies have been fully periodic from the outset since 1 December 2017. Scottish landlords serve a Notice to Leave citing one of 18 statutory grounds rather than a Section 8 or Section 21 notice.
Is Scottish Landlord Registration required for a rental property in Dunbar?
Yes. All private landlords in Scotland must register with the local authority (East Lothian Council for Dunbar properties) via the national Landlord Registration Scotland register at register.landlord.gov.scot before advertising or letting any residential property. Both the landlord and each property must be registered and renewed every 3 years. Unregistered landlords face enforcement action from East Lothian Council; tenants can apply for Rent Payment Orders directing rent to the council until registration is obtained.