Challenge a rent increase for a private residential tenancy

If you have a private residential tenancy, you can apply to Rent Service Scotland to challenge a rent increase you disagree with.

When they get your application, they’ll review the rent increase and decide what your rent amount should be. They’ll aim to make this decision within 40 days.

If you’re unsure if you have a private residential tenancy, use Shelter Scotland’s tenancy checker tool to find out.

How long you have to apply

Rent Service Scotland must receive your application within 21 days of the date you got your rent increase notice.

They cannot give any extension to this 21 day deadline or accept any late applications.

Before you apply

Before you apply to Rent Service Scotland, you need to return part 3 of the rent increase notice to your landlord.

This is so your landlord knows that you:

• do not accept their proposed rent increase
• plan to apply to Rent Service Scotland to challenge it

Details you’ll need for the application form

For your application to Rent Service Scotland, you’ll need:

• your name
• the name of anyone you want to act for you
• the property’s address
• the current rent
• the new rent
• your landlord's name and address
• the letting agent’s name and address, if there is one
• a copy of your inventory, if you have one

You’ll also need to give information about your home, including:

• the number of rooms
• furniture the landlord has provided
• details about heating and glazing
• any communal areas or outdoor spaces
• any improvements the landlord has made during your tenancy

Someone from Rent Service Scotland may need to visit the property to help them make a decision. The form will ask you for any dates you're not available.

Other documents you'll need

As part of sending your application to Rent Service Scotland, you must include copies of both:

• your tenancy agreement
• the rent increase notice your landlord sent you

Send copies, do not send any original documents.

You can send these documents as:

• scanned copies
• electronic copies, such as a PDF version
• photos of the documents taken on your smartphone
• photocopies

Start your application

Use our online tool to create a completed application form.

You must then download the completed form and send it to Rent Service Scotland, along with the other documents they need.

The form you’ll create is called a ‘Referral by a tenant to a rent officer’ form.

We do not store any of the details you enter. Find out more about our use of data.

You must enter all details. You cannot save progress and return later.

Start

If you need help

You can contact Rent Service Scotland if you need help completing your application.

Email

rss.dundee@gov.scot

Phone

0300 244 7000
Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK.