Scotland Repairing Standard Checklist 2026

Scotland's repairing standard has grown substantially since the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 first defined it. The March 2024 statutory guidance added new requirements around food preparation spaces, fixed heating, RCD protection, lead pipes, and common parts. Then the Investigation and Commencement of Repair (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (Awaab's Law) added binding damp and mould timelines from 6 October 2026.

Here's what the complete compliance picture looks like right now.

Safety Certificates and Inspections

Gas Safety Record (LGSR)

• Annual inspection by a Gas Safe registered engineer — every 12 months, no exceptions
• Covers each landlord-provided gas appliance and the flues for which you are responsible; maintain relevant gas fittings and installation pipework safely. Tenant-owned appliances and flues solely serving them are excluded from your check
• Give to existing tenants within 28 days of the check; give to new tenants before move-in
• Retain each record for a minimum of 2 years
• The 2-month early renewal window (Regulation 36A) lets you schedule up to 2 calendar months before expiry without losing your anniversary date

Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

• Every 5 years (or shorter if the electrician specifies a reduced interval on the report)
• Must be done by a competent person; registration with SELECT, NICEIC, or NAPIT is one way to demonstrate competence
• Covers the consumer unit, circuit breakers, RCD protection (must be 30mA or below), fixed wiring, earthing, bonding, switches, sockets, and light fittings
• Any C1 (Danger Present), C2 (Potentially Dangerous), or FI (Further Investigation Required) code makes the report unsatisfactory. C1 findings require immediate action, C2 findings urgent action, and FI findings investigation as soon as practically possible; there is no fixed 28-day deadline for these codes

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT/ISIT)

• Include all electrical appliances you supply (fridges, washing machines, microwaves, kettles) in the inspection and testing process; new appliances do not need a test during their first year, but record when the first test is due
• Frequency set by the electrician — typically every 1–2 years
• Test labels on each appliance, register retained alongside the EICR

Interlinked Alarms

Since 1 February 2022, every private let must have:

• One smoke alarm in the main living room (ceiling-mounted)
• One smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey — hallways, landings, stairwells
• One heat alarm in every kitchen (ceiling-mounted)
• All smoke and heat alarms interlinked (hardwired or wireless radio-frequency)
• Carbon monoxide alarm in every living accommodation room with a fixed combustion appliance except one used solely for cooking, or where a flue passes through; position a detector in a room containing an appliance 1–3 metres from it

Alarms must be mains-powered with battery backup, or sealed long-life lithium battery units. Replace before the manufacturer's expiry date (typically 10 years).

March 2024 Additions

These came into force on 1 March 2024 through updated statutory guidance:

• Fixed heating system — a permanently installed space heating system is mandatory. Portable plug-in electric heaters do not qualify as a primary heat source
• RCD protection — the consumer unit must have residual current device protection at 30mA or below
• Food storage and preparation — the property needs dedicated, hygienic food preparation surfaces and secure food storage (e.g., lined or lockable cabinetry)
• Common parts access — tenants must be able to safely navigate shared closes, stairwells, paths, and courtyards
• Secure common doors — tenement entrance doors must lock securely and open from inside without a key or code (keyless egress for fire safety)
• Lead pipe elimination — no lead water pipes between the boundary stopcock and the kitchen tap. If you can't confirm visually, arrange a water quality test through Scottish Water or an accredited lab. Lead above statutory limits means immediate pipe replacement

October 2026: Damp and Mould Timelines (Awaab's Law)

The Investigation and Commencement of Repair (Scotland) Regulations 2026 set binding timelines:

• 10 working days from becoming aware of a damp or mould issue: instruct a competent person to investigate
• 3 working days after the investigation: deliver a written summary to the tenant with findings and planned remedial actions
• 5 working days after the investigation: start repair work if the investigation finds substantial damp or mould; other work must be completed as soon as reasonably practicable

If exceptional circumstances prevent you from meeting a deadline, notify the tenant in writing of the duty affected, the reason, and the revised timeframe, and take reasonably practicable steps to mitigate the hazard.

Other Ongoing Requirements

• Legionella risk assessment — periodic review of the domestic water system (tank condition, temperature controls, dead legs, showerhead descaling). Commercial testing only needed for complex communal systems
• Energy Performance Certificate — valid EPC required when advertising for let. EPCs last 10 years. The operative standard is possession of a valid certificate; proposed Band C targets for 2028 and 2033 are not in force. The consultation on proposals closed on 29 August 2025
• Landlord Registration — registered with the local authority, renewed every 3 years (£85 application + £20 per property under the 2026 fee schedule)

What Happens If You Fall Short

A tenant or local authority can apply free to the First-tier Tribunal using Form A. The tribunal can issue a Repairing Standard Enforcement Order with a binding deadline. Non-compliance can lead to rent relief orders (up to 90% rent reduction), criminal prosecution, and the local authority stepping in to do repairs at your cost.

For printable compliance worksheets, contractor verification checksheets, and the complete 10-3-5 damp timeline log, the Scotland Repairing Standard guide covers every element with dated enforcement references.

See more Scotland guides →