A Private Residential Tenancy (PRT) is the default Scottish tenancy type for private lets granted on or after 1 December 2017. It is open-ended — there is no fixed term — and can only be ended by the landlord on one of 18 prescribed grounds via a Notice to Leave.
The Scottish Government publishes a Model Private Residential Tenancy Agreement, together with statutory terms and Easy Read notes. The LetSafe PRT agreement — £29, editable DOCX plus typeset PDF — aligns with the model terms and bundles the notes, privacy clauses and rent-review mechanics in one document.
What makes a PRT different from an English tenancy
The PRT is structurally distinct from an English AST or the post-RRA 2025 periodic assured tenancy. If you are letting a Scottish property, the English templates do not apply.
- Open-ended. No fixed term. The tenancy continues until the tenant gives notice or the landlord serves a valid Notice to Leave on a prescribed ground.
- 18 grounds. The landlord can only seek possession on one of 18 grounds set out in Schedule 3. Some are mandatory, some discretionary.
- Notice to Leave (not Section 8). 28 days or 84 days depending on the ground and length of occupation.
- Tribunal, not court. Possession applications go to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber), not the Sheriff Court.
- Rent increase procedure. Once per 12 months, three months' notice, contract-holder can refer to a rent officer.
- Landlord registration. All Scottish landlords must register with the local authority before letting.
Statutory terms the PRT must contain
The 2016 Act requires a written agreement including nine statutory terms. Our template includes all nine plus the model discretionary terms.
- Identity of the landlord, tenant, and letting agent where applicable
- Address of the property and the let area
- Start date of the tenancy
- Rent amount, due date and payment method
- Notice required to end the tenancy (28 days by tenant; varies for landlord)
- Deposit amount and scheme
- Joint tenancies — effect of one tenant giving notice
- Landlord registration number
- Agent registration number (if applicable)
How rent increases work on a PRT
A landlord can increase the rent once in any 12-month period. The increase takes effect at least three months after a rent-increase notice is served. The tenant may refer the proposed new rent to a rent officer at Rent Service Scotland, whose determination can be appealed to the Tribunal.
Rent-increase controls under the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 have now tapered off, but local rent control areas under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 may be designated by Scottish Ministers. Our LS-S-010 rent increase template tracks the current state of the law and highlights where a designated area applies.
The 18 grounds and the correct Notice to Leave period
The Notice to Leave period depends on the ground and the length of occupation. Pick the wrong period and the Tribunal will refuse the application.
- 84 days. Most grounds where the tenant has been in occupation for more than six months — including intention to sell, landlord moving in, refurbishment, change of use.
- 28 days. Rent arrears (three consecutive months), anti-social behaviour, breach of tenancy, tenant no longer occupying, criminal conviction.
- Ground 1 — landlord intends to sell. Mandatory, 84 days.
- Ground 4 — landlord intends to live in the property. Mandatory, 84 days.
- Ground 12 — rent arrears for three or more consecutive months. Mandatory, 28 days.
- Ground 13 — criminal behaviour conviction. Mandatory, 28 days.
Landlord registration and tenancy deposit protection
Every Scottish private landlord must register with the local authority. Registration is renewed every three years. Letting without registration is a criminal offence.
Deposits must be protected within 30 working days of receipt in one of the three approved Scottish schemes — SafeDeposits Scotland, MyDeposits Scotland or Letting Protection Service Scotland. The Prescribed Information must be given to the tenant in the same period.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Private Residential Tenancy?+
The PRT is the default Scottish private tenancy type for agreements started on or after 1 December 2017. It is open-ended, can only be ended by the landlord on one of 18 prescribed grounds, and uses the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland for possession.
How do I end a PRT as a landlord?+
Serve a Notice to Leave citing one of the 18 prescribed grounds. The notice period is 28 or 84 days depending on the ground and the length of occupation. After the notice period, if the tenant has not left, apply to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland for an eviction order.
How often can I raise the rent on a PRT?+
Once per 12 months. You must serve a rent-increase notice at least three months before the new rent takes effect. The tenant can refer the proposed rent to a rent officer, whose determination can then be appealed to the Tribunal.
Do I need to register as a landlord in Scotland?+
Yes. All Scottish private landlords must register with each local authority where they let property. Registration is renewed every three years. Letting without registration is a criminal offence and can trigger a rent penalty notice blocking rent collection.
Can I use an English tenancy agreement for a Scottish property?+
No. The PRT regime has its own prescribed terms, notice procedures, tribunal jurisdiction and deposit schemes. Using an English AST or periodic assured tenancy for a Scottish let is both unlawful and unenforceable.