If you own rental property in Dyce (AB21) or Bridge of Don (AB23), 2026 is a year to take stock of your compliance obligations. Demand for professionally managed rental homes in these two Aberdeen neighbourhoods is rising sharply, driven in large part by the influx of renewable energy sector workers relocating to the city and seeking quality accommodation close to Aberdeen International Airport and the Aberdeen Energy Park.
That increased demand is welcome news for landlords. But with it comes heightened scrutiny — from tenants who arrive on company relocation packages and expect a professionally managed, legally compliant tenancy from day one.
Understanding Scotland’s Private Residential Tenancy (PRT) framework is not optional. It is the legal foundation on which every residential letting in Scotland now rests.
What is the Private Residential Tenancy and why does it matter in Aberdeen?
The Private Residential Tenancy was introduced by the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 and replaced the assured and short assured tenancy from 1 December 2017. Most new private residential tenancies in Scotland created since 1 December 2017 are PRTs, although certain types of letting are excluded.
The most significant change for landlords is that the PRT is open-ended. There is no fixed end date. Your tenant remains in the property until either they choose to leave or you recover possession using one of the 18 statutory grounds for repossession.
This is a fundamental shift from how tenancies worked before, and it has real practical implications for landlords in AB21 and AB23.
The 18 grounds for repossession: what landlords need to know
Under the PRT, you cannot simply ask a tenant to leave at the end of a fixed term. To recover your property, you must serve a valid Notice to Leave citing one or more of the 18 grounds set out in the Act.
These grounds cover situations such as the landlord intending to sell the property, the landlord or a family member wishing to move in, the tenant being in rent arrears, the property being required for a purpose other than residential letting, and several other defined circumstances.
Some grounds are mandatory — meaning the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) must grant repossession if the ground is proven. Others are discretionary, giving the Tribunal room to weigh up the circumstances.
For landlords letting to professional tenants on fixed-term relocation packages in Dyce or Bridge of Don, it is worth noting that the open-ended nature of the PRT means tenants are not obliged to leave simply because their employer’s relocation period ends. Planning ahead and understanding your grounds for repossession is essential.
Landlord registration with Aberdeen City Council
Before you let any residential property in Scotland, you must be registered as a landlord with the relevant local authority. In Aberdeen, this means registering with Aberdeen City Council through the national Landlord Registration Scotland portal.
Registration must be renewed every three years, and the fee is calculated per landlord and per property. Letting without a valid registration is a criminal offence and can result in a fine of up to £50,000.
This applies to all landlords — whether you own a single flat near Dyce railway station, a portfolio of houses across Bridge of Don, or a mix of property types managed across multiple Aberdeen postcodes.
Tenancy Deposit Scheme compliance
Under the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011, all deposits taken from tenants in Scotland must be lodged with an approved scheme within 30 working days of the tenancy start date. The three approved schemes operating in Scotland are SafeDeposits Scotland, mydeposits Scotland, and Letting Protection Service Scotland.
You are also required to provide your tenant with the prescribed information about where their deposit is held, within the same 30-working-day window.
Failure to comply can result in a penalty of up to three times the deposit amount, awarded to the tenant by the First-tier Tribunal. This is a risk no landlord in Dyce or Bridge of Don should be exposed to.
Electrical and fire safety: your obligations under Scottish law
Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR)
Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 as amended by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014, landlords must ensure that the electrical installation in their property is inspected and tested by a competent person at least every five years. A valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) must be in place before a new tenancy begins.
A copy of the EICR must be provided to the tenant at the start of the tenancy and to the local authority on request.
Smoke and heat detector requirements
Since February 2022, all Scottish homes — including privately rented properties — must meet the enhanced fire and smoke detector standards introduced by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 as amended. These requirements include interlinked smoke alarms in the living room and hallways, a heat alarm in the kitchen, and a carbon monoxide detector where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance or flue.
If your rental property in AB21 or AB23 has not yet been upgraded to meet these standards, this should be addressed immediately. Tenants — particularly professionals arriving on relocation packages — will expect these standards to be met from the outset.
EPC requirements for rental properties in Aberdeen
All rental properties in Scotland must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated at least band E. The Scottish Government has previously consulted on raising the minimum standard to band C, and landlords should be preparing for this change as policy direction continues to develop in 2026.
For properties in Dyce and Bridge of Don — many of which are modern housing developments built to reasonable energy efficiency standards — achieving a band C rating may be more straightforward than in older Aberdeen city centre stock. However, it is worth commissioning an up-to-date EPC assessment if yours is approaching its 10-year expiry.
Letting to professional tenants on relocation packages: what to expect
The growth of the renewable energy sector in Aberdeen — anchored by the Aberdeen Energy Park in Bridge of Don and the proximity of Dyce to the airport and major energy employers — has created a distinct tenant profile in AB21 and AB23.
Professional relocators typically arrive with company-assisted housing budgets, clear expectations around property standards, and limited tolerance for compliance gaps. They often require tenancies to begin quickly and expect a smooth, professional experience throughout.
This tenant profile rewards landlords who have their compliance in order. It also underlines the value of working with a letting agent who understands both the PRT framework and the expectations of this particular market segment.
How Martin & Co Aberdeen supports landlords with PRT compliance
At Martin & Co Aberdeen, we work with landlords across Dyce, Bridge of Don, and the wider Aberdeen area to ensure every tenancy is set up correctly from the start. Our team understands the full scope of Scotland’s letting legislation — from PRT obligations and landlord registration to deposit protection, EICR compliance, and fire safety standards.
With over 30 years of lettings experience and more than 41,000 properties managed across the Martin & Co network, we bring the kind of compliance expertise that gives landlords genuine peace of mind — whether you own one property or a growing portfolio across multiple Aberdeen postcodes.
We let 370 new properties every week across the network, and our dedicated local team in Aberdeen is here to support you at every stage — from initial compliance checks through to tenancy management, rent collection, and beyond.
Take the next step with confidence
Scotland’s PRT framework places clear obligations on landlords, and the professional rental market in Dyce and Bridge of Don means those obligations matter more than ever. Getting compliance right protects your investment, your tenants, and your reputation as a landlord.
Whether you are new to letting or an experienced landlord reviewing your obligations for 2026, Martin & Co Aberdeen is here to help. We simplify the process, handle the detail, and keep you on the right side of Scottish letting law — without any fuss.
Contact Martin & Co Aberdeen today to speak with a member of our local lettings team about your compliance position. We are ready to help you let with confidence.
Book a free, no-obligation rental valuation for your Dyce or Bridge of Don property and find out exactly what your investment could achieve in today’s market. Get in touch with your local Martin & Co agent to get started.
