Devolved Nations Roundup: Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Update

Scotland: rent control and tribunal update

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2024 rent control provisions remain operative. Rent increases in designated rent control areas require a Rent Officer decision. The Scottish Government has not announced any change to the rent control area designations or the cap mechanism.

Landlords in Scotland should note the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber) notice periods under the Private Residential Tenancy framework:

• Notice to leave: 28 days (tenancy under six months) or 84 days (tenancy six months or more)
• All evictions proceed through the tribunal; no equivalent to Section 21 exists in Scotland

Wales: occupation contract obligations

Occupation contracts under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 continue to govern all Welsh residential tenancies. Key obligations for landlords in Wales:

• Written statement of the occupation contract must be provided within 14 days of occupation
• Rent Smart Wales registration and licence must be current
• Fitness for Human Habitation requirements apply throughout the tenancy
• Notice periods: six months for no-fault possession

Landlords who converted tenancy agreements to occupation contracts in December 2022 should check whether any terms in their standard agreements need updating for 2026 renewals.

Northern Ireland: Private Tenancies Bill

The proposed Northern Ireland Private Tenancies Bill was in early committee stages as of February 2026. The Bill proposes requirements for written tenancy agreements, minimum notice periods, and a landlord registration scheme. Landlord Insights is monitoring the legislative progress at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

March 2026: regulatory calendar

Landlord Insights — landlordinsights.co.uk — Not legal advice.