The Scottish Government is investigating 114 businesses suspected of carrying out letting agency work without registration and has issued 86 compliance letters and one ‘power to obtain’ notice.

It has also confirmed that 562 agents have had their applications approved and subsequently been issued with a Letting Agent Registration Number and that a total of 914 applications have been received to date. 

As part of market reforms north of the border, it has been a mandatory requirement for agents to apply to join the Register of Letting Agents since October 1 2018. On top of this, key staff members are expected to meet a minimum level of training.

Agencies that have yet to apply to join the register are committing a criminal offence and could be hit with a fine of up to £50,000 or a custodial sentence.

Meanwhile, any agency failing to meet the expected standards of practice can be removed from the register and prevented from operating as a letting agent. 

As part of the measures, Scottish agents are also required to comply with the Letting Agent Code of Practice, which came into force in January 2018.

The Scottish Government is encouraging agents to provide information on businesses they suspect are operating without having applied for registration. 

Anyone with information should contact Propertymark’s strategic development manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland, Daryl McIntosh, or the government directly.