Much of the landlord news this year has been about England’s Renters’ Rights Act, which doesn’t apply in Scotland. For landlords across Ayr, Prestwick, Troon and the wider Ayrshires, the law that matters is the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, and an important part of it took effect on 6 October 2026.
Here’s what we’d want every self-managing landlord in Ayrshire to know this autumn.
Awaab’s Law is now live.
From 6 October 2026, private landlords in Scotland must act on damp and mould within set timescales:
- Investigate a report within 10 working days.
- Start any necessary repairs within five working days of finishing the investigation.
- Use a competent person for the investigation. That can be you, if you have the right skills and experience.
With autumn rain on the Ayrshire coast, condensation and damp reports tend to rise now. Having a contractor lined up and a clear process for logging reports will make these deadlines much easier to meet.
Higher penalties for wrongful termination
For tenants who leave on or after 6 October 2026, wrongful termination awards have risen to between three and 36 times the monthly rent. If you need to end a tenancy, getting the grounds and paperwork right matters more than ever.
Rent increases: what’s changing
Under a private residential tenancy, you can increase the rent once every 12 months, with at least three months’ written notice. From 1 April 2027, tenants will have 30 days to refer an increase to a rent officer, and the rent set can’t be higher than the amount you asked for.
Rent control areas, with increases capped at CPI plus 1% up to a maximum of 6%, are also coming. Councils must report on local rent conditions by 31 May 2027.
Find out what your Ayrshire property could rent for
Your October checklist
- Damp and mould process in place, with a contractor ready.
- Reports logged with dates, so timescales can be shown.
- Tenancy-ending paperwork reviewed.
- The next rent increase is planned with three months’ notice.
- Scottish landlord registration and safety records up to date.
Let’s make this simple.
Our Ayr team can take on the investigations, repairs, rent reviews and records, so you can stay compliant without being on call.
Talk to the Martin & Co Ayr landlord team
Martin & Co Ayr is part of the national network of independently owned property agents.
