# What is a Private Residential Tenancy

A **Private Residential Tenancy (PRT)** is the standard type of tenancy for most private lets in Scotland, introduced on **1 December 2017**.

A tenancy will usually be a PRT if:

- The property is let to a person as a **separate dwelling** (it can still be a separate dwelling even if some core facilities are shared with other tenants).
     *Example:* renting a bedroom in a flat with shared kitchen/bathroom can still be treated as a separate dwelling if the tenant has access to the facilities needed for day-to-day living.
- The tenant lives in the property as their **only or main home**.

- The tenancy is **not excluded** under Schedule 1 of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016.

## Key changes to look out for

Here are some of the key changes:

### Tenancies no long have an end date

PRTs are **open-ended**. This means:

- Tenants can stay for as long (or as short) a time as they wish, and
- There is **no minimum fixed term** like the old 6-month commitment in many previous tenancy types.

If a landlord wants to end a PRT, they must follow the legal process (including using an eviction ground and serving the correct notice).

### Rent increases

Rent can usually be increased **no more than once every 12 months**.

Any rent increase must be:

- given to the tenant **in writing**, and
- with **at least 3 months’ notice** before the new rent starts.

If the tenant believes the increase is unfair, they can [refer it to a rent officer](https://www.mygov.scot/tenant-rent-increase) for review.

**Important note:** There is not a general rent cap under the PRT rules unless the property is in a **Rent Pressure Zone** (and at the time of writing there are **no Rent Pressure Zones in force**).

### Reasons for eviction

Landlords can’t end a PRT just because a fixed term has expired (because there isn’t one).

To regain possession, the landlord must:

- rely on one (or more) of the **18 statutory eviction grounds**, and
- follow the correct legal process.

If the tenant does not leave after notice expires, the landlord must apply to the **First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber)** for an eviction order.

### Notice Periods

Under a PRT, landlords must serve a **Notice to Leave**.

The notice period is **not based only on how long the tenant has lived in the property**. It depends on **both**:

- how long the tenant has occupied the property, **and**
- which **eviction ground** the landlord is using.

In most cases, the notice period will be either:

- **28 days**, or
- **84 days**.

Some grounds allow **28 days’ notice even where the tenant has lived in the property for more than 6 months**, so it’s important to check the notice period that applies to the specific ground being used.

[» Next article](/landlords/letting-in-scotland/reasons-for-eviction)

## Letting in Scotland

- [Letting in Scotland](/landlords/letting-in-scotland)

- [Private residential tenancy](/landlords/letting-in-scotland/private-residential-tenancy)

- [Reasons to evict](/landlords/letting-in-scotland/reasons-for-eviction)

- [Changes to legislation](/landlords/letting-in-scotland/scottish-landlord-legislation)

- [Landlord Responsibilities](/landlords/letting-in-scotland/landlord-responsibilities)

## How much rent could your charge?

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