Number of registered landlords: FOI release

Information requested

Just looking at the response to FOI/202400417777.

This might be me but there appears to be a discrepancy between the number of registered landlord properties for April. The topline figure is 238,094 for registered landlords.

But when I add up the columns for landlords with 1 property etc, the total is 235,909 - a discrepancy of 2,185.

Do you know why?

Response

The figures provided in FOI 202400417777 were obtained from the landlord registration system and we are satisfied that these figures were correct at the time of publication.

The Scottish Landlord Register is primarily an administrative system and therefore there are some limitations of this data source, such as:

• Registrations last for a period of three years and there could be a time lag in landlords deregistering properties which are no longer available for rent
• When landlords are looking to leave the sector or reduce their portfolio, it can take several months from freeing up properties to completing sales
• Landlords may register without properties as they may be in the process of purchasing a property (particularly where a buy to let mortgage is conditional on registering as a landlord)
• Landlord agents may act on behalf of the property owner, including those who are acting via a Power of Attorney.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.