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Landlord’s rent arrears letter with the pre-action information (Scotland)
Scotland · in English · for landlords
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For a private landlord or letting agent in Scotland whose tenant has fallen behind with the rent. Before applying to the tribunal on the rent arrears ground, a landlord must meet the pre-action requirements: this letter gives the tenant clear information on the tenancy terms, the arrears period by period, the tenant’s rights in eviction proceedings and where to find free advice on money and debt, and invites them to agree a reasonable repayment plan by a set date. It never threatens to change the locks: only a tribunal order can end the tenancy. Send it by recorded delivery and keep a copy.
- Made for use in Scotland
- Last updated October 29, 2026
- Document in English
Where a UK document reproduces the words of legislation or of a government publication — UK, Scottish or Northern Irish — it contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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When to use this document
- Your tenant in Scotland has fallen behind with the rent for several months.
- Your tenant stopped paying after losing their job and you want to agree a repayment plan.
- You need to give your tenant the required information before thinking about the tribunal.
- You want one letter setting out the arrears, the tenant’s rights and where to get help.
What you fill in
The details the document asks for.
- Landlord
- Landlord's address
- Town or city
- Landlord's postcode
- Date
- Tenant
- Address of the property
- Amount of rent
- Rent is paid every
- Amount of arrears
- Months in arrears and the amount owed for each
- Date by which the tenant is asked to pay or reply
- A repayment plan you propose (optional)
- Landlord registration number (optional)
Common questions
- What are the rent arrears pre-action requirements for private landlords in Scotland?
- Steps a landlord must take before asking the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland for an eviction order on the rent arrears ground: clear information to the tenant about the tenancy terms, the arrears, their rights in eviction proceedings and where to get advice on financial support and debt, and reasonable efforts to agree a plan for paying. They have been permanent since 2022, and the tribunal takes them into account when deciding whether eviction is reasonable. Keep a record of every step.
- Where can a tenant in rent arrears in Scotland get free help?
- From Citizens Advice Scotland, Shelter Scotland, National Debtline, StepChange and the council’s money advice service, all free. The council can also consider a Discretionary Housing Payment towards the rent. Where the tenant claims Universal Credit, the tenant or the landlord can ask for the housing costs to be paid straight to the landlord; mygov.scot explains how.
- Can a landlord in Scotland change the locks if the rent is not paid?
- No. Evicting a tenant without an order of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland, or harassing them to leave, is a criminal offence, and the tenant can claim damages. The landlord gives a notice to leave on the prescribed form — 28 days on the rent arrears ground — and then applies to the tribunal, which decides whether eviction is reasonable. Only its order, enforced by sheriff officers, ends the tenant’s right to stay.
How you can sign this document
- Print it and sign by hand. The signature lines in the document are left blank on purpose — sign on them in ink.
- Sign it yourself with a qualified electronic signature. If you already hold a QES — Evrotrust, B-Trust, StampIT, ZealiD or any qualified provider on the EU Trusted List, on a card, a USB token, in a mobile app or in the cloud — our signing guide explains step by step how to sign this exact file without invalidating it. Step-by-step help, and a way to check it worked
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