The length of notice periods landlords must provide tenants when using certain grounds for possession whilst the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 is in force has changed. 

The changes introduced by the Scottish government found in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 (Eviction from Dwelling-houses) (Notice Periods) Modification Regulations 2020 will apply to all notices served on or after the 3 October 2020 and are focused on the grounds of anti-social behaviour or criminal activity.

The notice period is now changed from three months to 28 days for any landlords in Scotland using any of the following grounds for eviction: 

• The tenant has a relevant conviction

• The tenant has engaged in relevant anti-social behaviour

• The tenant associates in the let property with a person who has a relevant conviction or has engaged in relevant anti-social behaviour

• The tenant not occupying the let property as the tenant’s home

Daryl McIntosh, ARLA Propertymark’s strategic development manager for Scotland, said: “The newly introduced changes to regulations are positive for landlords and agents dealing with nuisance tenants. 

“Tenants have the right to secure and safe homes but in turn, landlords also have a right to return of their property when it is has been subject to the likes of anti-social behaviour, criminal activity or neglect.

“We hope that reducing the notice periods for these grounds means landlords and agents can lawfully recover properties more easily.”