Scotland PRT Compliance Guide vs Free mygov.scot Tenancy Creation Tool
If you are deciding between the free mygov.scot tenancy creation tool and a paid Scotland PRT compliance guide, the short answer is that they solve different problems. The mygov tool generates a compliant Model PRT agreement with Easy Read Notes in one session. A compliance guide walks you through the entire setup sequence — choosing the right agreement format, matching it to the correct statutory notes, tracking document delivery, and meeting every deadline from registration through deposit lodging. Most self-managing landlords need both: the free tool for the contract itself, and the guide for everything around it.
What Each Option Actually Covers
| Factor | mygov.scot Tenancy Tool | PRT Compliance Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | One-off purchase |
| Agreement output | Model PRT + Easy Read Notes as a combined PDF | Explains both Model PRT and bespoke agreement routes |
| Notes matching | Automatic (only generates Model PRT + Easy Read Notes) | Covers both pairs: Model PRT/Easy Read Notes and bespoke/Statutory Terms Supporting Notes |
| Discretionary terms | Basic options only — no garden, parking, utility transfer, or inventory clauses | Clause 37 add-on library for practical operational terms |
| Delivery tracking | None — no receipt, no audit trail | Document Delivery Log with tenant sign-off section |
| Save and return | No — single session, close the tab and start again | Printable worksheets you fill in at your pace |
| Pet request framework | Not covered | Section 64A processing log (30-day response, 42-day appeal window) |
| Awaab's Law deadlines | Not covered | Investigation/report/repair timelines (10/3/5 working days) |
| Deposit compliance | Not covered | 30-working-day lodging deadline, scheme comparison, prescribed information checklist |
Where the Free Tool Works Well
The mygov.scot tool does its job. It generates a Model Private Residential Tenancy Agreement that includes all nine mandatory statutory terms in bold text, exactly as prescribed under SSI 2017/408. It pairs the agreement with the correct Easy Read Notes automatically — you cannot accidentally serve the wrong notes through this tool.
If you are using the standard Model PRT (not a solicitor-drafted or custom agreement), have no need for additional discretionary clauses beyond the basic options in the tool, and already know how to handle deposit lodging, safety certificates, and document delivery independently, the mygov tool gives you a lawful agreement at zero cost.
Where the Free Tool Leaves Gaps
The mygov tool is a contract generator, not a compliance system. Three specific gaps create real legal exposure:
No delivery record. The tool produces the agreement PDF but gives you no way to prove when or how you delivered it. In a First-tier Tribunal dispute under Section 16 of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, the burden of proof falls on the landlord. A missing delivery log does not itself trigger an award: if the landlord fails to provide the missing terms or notes within 28 days after the tenant's written notice, the Tribunal may award up to three months' rent for either omission, or up to six months if both were missing.
No notes-matching guidance for bespoke agreements. If you use a solicitor-drafted or custom tenancy agreement instead of the Model PRT, you must serve the Statutory Terms Supporting Notes, not the Easy Read Notes. The mygov tool only generates the Model PRT path. It gives no guidance on the bespoke route. Serving the wrong set of notes is treated as a failure to provide notes at all.
No post-agreement compliance workflow. Deposit lodging (30 working days, custodial scheme only), safety certificate delivery, interlinked alarm confirmation, electronic service consent — these obligations sit outside the tool's scope. A landlord who generates the agreement but misses the deposit deadline faces Tribunal awards of one to three times the deposit value.
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Where the Compliance Guide Adds Value
A compliance guide like Private Residential Tenancies in Scotland: A Landlord's Guide to Setting Up a Tenancy covers the full setup sequence from landlord registration through move-in day:
- Notes-matching decision matrix for both the Model PRT and bespoke agreement routes, so you pair the right notes with your chosen agreement format.
- Tenant Document Delivery Log covering the agreement, notes, EPC, EICR, Gas Safety certificate, and interlinked alarm confirmation, with a sign-off section to help record what was delivered and when.
- Clause 37 discretionary terms the government model omits — garden and exterior maintenance, parking allocations, utility account transfer obligations, and structured check-in inventory sign-offs.
- October 2026 statutory updates including Awaab's Law timelines, the reduced six-month succession threshold, the Section 64A pet request framework, and wrongful-termination damages now ranging from 3 to 36 months' rent.
- Seven standalone printable worksheets — the notes-matching matrix, delivery log, pet request log, deposit tracker, pre-letting timeline, Awaab's Law response tracker, and legacy tenancy audit checklist.
Who This Is For
- Self-managing landlords in Scotland who are using (or considering) the mygov.scot tool and want to know what it does not cover
- First-time landlords who need a compliance system around the government contract, not just the contract itself
- Landlords using a solicitor-drafted or custom PRT agreement who need the bespoke notes-matching route explained
- Existing landlords reviewing older tenancies after the October 2026 Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 changes
Who This Is NOT For
- Landlords in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland — Scotland's PRT regime is separate from England's Renters' Rights Act 2025, Wales's occupation-contract system under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, and Northern Ireland's tenancy rules
- Landlords who have already hired a letting agent to handle the full tenancy setup — the agent handles compliance as part of their £300–£600+ service
- Anyone facing an active Tribunal claim or eviction dispute — that requires legal advice, not a process guide
The Practical Decision
Use the mygov.scot tool if you want the Model PRT agreement itself. It is free, lawful, and produces the correct mandatory terms. Then use the compliance guide to handle everything the tool does not: the notes-matching rule for your specific agreement type, a document delivery record with tenant sign-off, the deposit lodging sequence, the October 2026 regulatory changes, and the printable worksheets for ongoing record-keeping.
The mygov tool does not replace a compliance guide. A compliance guide does not replace the mygov tool. They cover different parts of the same job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the mygov.scot tool produce a legally compliant tenancy agreement?
Yes. The mygov.scot tool generates a Model Private Residential Tenancy Agreement with all nine mandatory statutory terms and the correct Easy Read Notes. The agreement itself is compliant. The gaps are in what happens before and after the agreement — delivery proof, deposit lodging, safety certificates, and the bespoke agreement route.
What happens if I serve the wrong set of notes with my tenancy agreement?
Serving Easy Read Notes with a bespoke agreement, or Statutory Terms Supporting Notes with the Model PRT, counts as a failure to provide the required notes. If the landlord does not provide the correct notes within 28 days after the tenant's written notice, the tenant can apply to the First-tier Tribunal, which may award up to three months' rent in compensation.
Can I save my progress in the mygov.scot tenancy creation tool?
No. The mygov.scot tool operates as a single-session wizard. If you close the browser tab before generating the PDF, your inputs are lost and you must start again from scratch.
Do I need a compliance guide if I have a letting agent?
Not for the tenancy setup itself — a letting agent's tenant-find service (typically £300–£600+ VAT) covers agreement preparation, deposit lodging, and document delivery. A guide is for self-managing landlords who handle the setup themselves.
Is a compliance guide a substitute for legal advice?
No. A compliance guide covers process navigation — the steps, forms, deadlines, and penalties. If you are facing an active Tribunal claim, a dispute with a tenant, or a local authority enforcement action, you need a solicitor or advice from Shelter Scotland or Citizens Advice Scotland.
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