Scottish Government

Services

• Add a porch to your house

  Information on whether you'll need planning permission to build a porch.

• Add an access ramp to your house

  Find out if you need to apply for planning permission to build an access ramp to your door.

• Add an extension to your house

  Find out whether your planned extension needs planning permission.

• Add decking to your house

  Information on whether you need planning permission to add decking or a platform to the outside of your home.

• Adopting a child from abroad

  Information on adopting a child from abroad (intercountry adoption) including how to adopt and where you can get support.

• Advertisement appeals

  How to appeal if your local planning authority asks you to remove an advertisement from your building.

• Affording and accessing food

  Information on affording and accessing food in Scotland. Includes information on the Scottish Welfare Fund Crisis Grant and food support in your area.

• After the verdict: victims and witnesses

  What happens after a verdict at court, including information on sentencing, appeals and the Victim Notification Scheme.

• Amenity notice appeals

  Information on how to appeal to your local planning authority if you're ordered to tidy land you own.

• Apply for a postal vote

  You can apply for postal vote by downloading an application form. The deadline to apply for a postal vote for the Scottish Parliament elections was 6 April 2021.

• Apply for or renew an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

  Apply for financial support to study at school or college if you're aged 16 to 19 and from a low income household.

• Approved certification

  Information on Approved Certifiers for Design and Construction.

• Attach something to or alter the outside of your flat

  See if you need planning permission to add something to the wall outside your flat.

• Attach something to or alter the outside of your house

  See which additions to the external surface of your home need planning permission.

• Background checks on new tenants

  Information for landlords on checks you can make on new tenants renting your property. Includes proof of identification checks, credit checks, references and guarantors.

• Becoming a carer

  Get support if you're new to your caring role.

• Breastfeeding and your business

  Find out the law around breastfeeding and how to become a breastfeeding friendly business.

• Brexit – what you need to know

  Information and guidance on what the UK’s exit from the European Union (Brexit) will mean for you.

• Build a gate, fence or wall around your flat

  Check to see if you need planning permission to build or improve a structure around your flat.

• Build a gate, fence or wall around your house

  Find out if you need planning permission to build a boundary around your home

• Build a shed, garage, greenhouse or other building

  Information on the permitted development rules for an ancillary building.

• Building Scotland Fund

  Information on the Building Scotland Fund including what you can use it for and how to apply.

• Building Standards for homeowners

  Find out what you need to do to meet Building Standards in Scotland.

• Building designation appeals

  How to appeal if Historic Environment Scotland makes a change to its list of buildings of historical interest.

• Building regulations

  Information on what the building regulations are and how to follow them when doing building or conversion work.

• Building your own home

  A guide to the whole process of building your home, from design and land purchase to builder hire, the build process itself and reclaiming VAT.

• Building, engineering and installation work behind your home

  Information on planning permission for adding installations such as swimming pools or free-standing solar panels.

• COVID spring hardship payment

  Each child who gets free school meals (low income) will get £100 paid by local councils. For most it’s automatic but some people might need to apply.

• COVID winter hardship payment (£100 per child)

  Each child who gets free school meals (low income) will get £100 paid by local councils. For most it’s automatic but some people might need to apply.

• Carer's Allowance Supplement

  Find information on Carer's Allowance Supplement, including what it is, who can get it and how it's paid.

• Carrying out repairs as a landlord

  Information on dealing with tenant requests for repairs, as well as the Repairing Standard and Tolerable Standard.

• Certificate of appropriate alternative development appeals

  Information on what a certificate of appropriate alternative development is and how to appeal if you get one.

• Certificate of lawfulness appeals

  How to appeal if your local planning authority does not send you a certificate of lawful use or development.

• Changes to unmeasured water and sewerage charges for businesses

  Find out about the changes to water and sewerage charges for businesses.

• Child maintenance if one parent lives outside Scotland

  What to do if you need to get child maintenance and one of you lives outside Scotland.

• Choosing a self-build home type

  A guide to the different types of home you may wish to consider when building your own property.

• Communication agreements

  Information on agreeing a method for a landlord and tenant to contact each other during a private residential tenancy.

• Connecting water, electricity and gas services to a self-build

  How to arrange to have water, electricity and gas supplied to your new home.

• Controlling your dog in public

  Find out about the law around controlling your dog in public and how to report a dangerous dog.

• Culture and creative sectors after Brexit

  Information on how the UK's exit from the European Union (Brexit) may affect the culture and creative sectors.

• Designing your home

  How to design your own home with the help of an architect.

• Dog microchipping: information for businesses

  Information about dog microchipping for businesses, such as dog breeders, dog dealers, dog importers, microchip implanters, vets and database operators.

• Drink-drive limit in Scotland

  Scotland's drink-drive limit, the law, getting home safely, and alternative alcohol-free nights out.

• Driving licences, tests, car tax and registration

  Applying for a driving licence, driving lessons, contacting DVLA, vehicle tax, MOT, insurance, number plates and log books.

• EU Settlement Scheme

  Information on the EU settlement Scheme for citizens and employers.

• EU citizens working in health and social care

  Information for EU citizens working in health and social care.

• Education and EU citizens in Scotland

  Information for EU citizens studying or working in education in Scotland.

• Ending a tenancy as a landlord

  Information on legally ending a tenancy on a property you're renting out.

• Energy Performance Certificates

  Information on how to get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for a building in Scotland.

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

  Find out about Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in your area.

• Environmental appeals

  Find out how to make an appeal against a decision made by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) or Scottish Water.

• Erasmus Plus programme

  Information on the Erasmus Plus programme after Brexit.

• Family Pandemic Payment

  Each child who gets free school meals (low income) will get two payments of £100 paid by local councils.

• Farm payments and support

  Farm subsidies can be claimed by everyone who is eligible.

• Find business events

  Find and register for business events, workshops, seminars and conferences in Scotland.

• Find the air quality in your area

  Check to see how clean the air is in your area.

• Finding and buying a plot of land

  How to find and buy a plot of land you can build a property on.

• Funding from EU programmes

  Information on funding from EU programmes after Brexit.

• Funerals during coronavirus

  Find out the rules for funerals during coronavirus (Covid) including number of people who can go and travel to the rest of the UK and abroad.

• Furnished, part furnished and unfurnished homes

  Find out about the differences in furnished, unfurnished and part-furnished homes.

• Get a self-build loan in Scotland

  Find out how to get a loan to help build your own home.

• Get a wheelchair from the Shopmobility scheme

  Find out how to borrow a manual or powered wheelchair or a powered scooter through the Shopmobility scheme.

• Get help to apply for Best Start Grant and Foods

  You can get help if you need to work out how to apply or you want help filling in a form.

• Get help with energy bills

  Find out how energy assistance can help you keep a warm and comfortable home.

• Getting a building warrant

  Find out how to apply for a building warrant.

• Getting a self-build mortgage

  How to get a special mortgage for building your own home.

• Getting help to buy your home

  Information on Scottish Government schemes to help you buy a new home.

• Getting planning permission

  If you want to carry out building work you may need planning permission.

• Good neighbour agreement appeals

  Information on how to appeal a good neighbour agreement decision in Scotland.

• Guarantors

  Help if you're asked to be a guarantor, or want to know more about what guarantors need to do.

• Hazardous substances consent appeal

  Find out about appealing a planning authority's decision about hazardous substances consents.

• Hazardous substances contravention notice appeals

  Find out about appealing a planning authority's decision about hazardous substances contravention notices.

• Healthcare for UK nationals living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

  Information on healthcare for UK nationals living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

• Help after the death of a partner

  What you need to do and what help you can get after the death of your husband, wife or partner.

• Help and advice for EU citizens in Scotland

  Information on Scottish Government help and advice services for EU citizens in Scotland.

• Help for home owners with mortgage difficulties

  If you cannot afford to pay your mortgage, find information to help you stay in your home.

• Help getting your child back from abroad or arranging contact

  Getting help if your child is taken abroad without your consent.

• Help to Buy (Scotland) Affordable New Build scheme

  Information on how to get financial help from the Scottish Government when buying a new build home.

• Help with a legal problem

  Who can help you if you need advice about a legal problem, such as debt, housing, benefits, employment, divorce or claims for money.

• Help with passports

  Apply for, renew or update a UK passport, use the Check and Send service, find a passport interview office.

• High hedge appeals

  Appeal against a high hedges decision – includes deadlines, how to appeal and how long it takes to get a decision.

• Hiring a builder

  How to hire a contractor for a self-build, or how to build it yourself.

• Hiring a letting agent

  Information on employing a letting agent to help you rent out your home.

• Home Owners' Support Fund

  If you're at risk of having your home repossessed, the Home Owners' Support Fund may be able to help you.

• Housing after Brexit (social and private housing)

  Information on how the UK's exit from the European Union (Brexit) may affect housing policy in Scotland.

• How to report a possible abuse of your human rights

  If you feel your human rights have been abused, there are many ways you can report it.

• How to vote

  Find out how to vote in person, by post, by proxy and if you're abroad.

• If your landlord increases the rent

  Information about how and when rent can be increased, and what you can do if you disagree with it.

• Illegal drugs and driving in Scotland

  It's a crime to drive if you've taken illegal drugs or if you're unfit through any drug. Find out the law around illegal drugs and driving.

• Justice and security after Brexit (rights and crime)

  Information on how the UK's exit from the European Union (Brexit) may affect justice in Scotland.

• Lay a hard surface outside your house

  Find out if you need planning permission to lay a hard surface like paving around your home.

• Letting Agents who have been removed from the Register

  A list of Letting Agents who have been removed from the Register because their registration has expired.

• Letting agent registration

  Find out how to register as a letting agent, including information on the Code of Practice.

• Letting agent registration updates

  Keep up to date with the letting agent registration requirements.

• Letting agent regulation (information for landlords)

  Information on the Letting Agent Code of Practice and how to complain about your letting agent.

• Letting agent regulation (information for tenants)

  Information on the Letting Agent Code of Practice and how to complain about your letting agent.

• Listed building and conservation area appeals

  Information on how to appeal a planning authority's decision on works on a listed building or conservation area in Scotland.

• Low Income Pandemic Payment

  A one-off payment of £130 to help with increased costs and lost income due to coronavirus.

• Marriage and civil partnership during Covid

  Check the rules for marriage and civil partnership during Covid. Including how many people you can have at each protection level for ceremonies and receptions.

• Microchip your dog

  Information about microchipping your dog in Scotland, including how much it costs and where to get it done.

• Miscarriage of justice: apply for compensation

  You can apply for compensation if you’ve been wrongfully convicted of or charged with a crime.

• Miscarriage of justice: claim compensation

  How to apply for compensation for a miscarriage of justice. Includes the Statutory Scheme and the Ex Gratia Scheme.

• Monument designation appeals

  How to appeal if Historic Environment Scotland makes a change to its list of monuments of national importance.

• Mother and Baby Unit Family Fund

  The Mother and Baby Unit Family Fund helps with the cost of travel and food if you're visiting someone in a Mother and Baby Unit.

• New Supply Shared Equity scheme

  How to get help to buy a newly built home by sharing the cost with the Scottish Government

• Non-domestic rates relief

  Find out about the non-domestic rates reliefs (discounts) available in Scotland, including the Small Business Bonus Scheme, and how to apply.

• Open Market Shared Equity scheme

  How to get help to buy a home on the open market by sharing the cost with the Scottish Government

• Pardons and disregards for convictions for sexual activity between men

  Find out how you can have a historical conviction for same-sex sexual activity removed from your records.

• Planning enforcement appeals

  How to appeal if your local planning authority serves an enforcement notice.

• Planning obligation appeals

  Information on planning obligations and how to appeal one.

• Planning permission appeals

  Information on how to appeal if your local planning authority refuses to give you planning permission.

• Planning your own funeral

  How to plan your own funeral, including your funeral wishes, funeral payment plans and where to keep the information.

• Prescription drugs and driving in Scotland

  It's a crime to drive if you're over the limits for certain prescription or illegal drugs or you're unfit because you've taken any drug. Find out the law around prescription drugs and driving.

• Prior approval appeals

  How to appeal to your local planning authority if it refuses prior approval needed for some development work.

• Reclaiming VAT on a self-build project

  How to claim back VAT on building materials used to build your own home.

• Register a death during coronavirus (COVID-19)

  Find out how to register a death remotely during coronavirus (COVID-19).

• Register agricultural land

  You must register your agricultural land if you want to claim rural funding from the Scottish Government.

• Rent Pressure Zone: Improvements Guidance

  Improvements that can be made by a landlord to a let property in a rent pressure zone.

• Renting and your rights during coronavirus if you have a private landlord

  Information about your private rental rights during coronavirus, including what to do if you're having financial difficulties.

• Renting and your rights during coronavirus if you have a social landlord

  Information about your rental rights during coronavirus if you have a social landlord.

• Renting property from a private landlord

  Information on how to move in and move out of a home if you're renting privately.

• Renting your property out

  A guide to renting out a property if you're a landlord.

• Review of minerals permissions

  How to appeal a prohibition or suspension order on the mining of minerals or deposit of mineral waste on a site.

• Roof additions and alterations

  Find out whether you need planning permission to add a dormer to your roof and gain extra space.

• Rural Housing Fund and Islands Housing Fund

  Information about the Rural and Islands Housing Funds including who can apply and how to apply.

• Rural Payments and Services

  Information about farming and agriculture in Scotland, including funding and inspections.

• Scaffolding rules

  The rules for putting up scaffolding on your property - licence, checks, safety, builder, scaffold companies

• Scheduled monument consent appeals

  How to appeal if Historic Environment Scotland refuses to let you carry out work on a scheduled monument.

• Scheduled monument enforcement appeals

  How to appeal if Historic Environment Scotland serves you a notice for carrying out work on a scheduled monument.

• Scottish Rural Development Programme

  Gives money for projects to improve agriculture, the environment and rural life.

• Search for a planning appeal or decision

  How to search for the progress of an ongoing planning appeal or find a previous planning appeal decision.

• Search for business funding or advice

  Search for business funding, including grant and loan options available in Scotland.

• Self-Isolation Support Grant (£500)

  If you're a low income worker and told to self-isolate you could get a £500 Self-Isolation Grant. You apply through your local council.

• Self-build planning permission and building warrants

  How to get planning permission and a building warrant for a self-build project.

• Self-build site insurance

  How to get site insurance and a structural warranty while building a home.

• Set up and run a limited liability partnership (LLP)

  Setting up an LLP so you can run a business with 2 or more members - registration, LLP agreement, members and their responsibilities.

• Set up and run a limited partnership

  Explains your responsibilities, including choosing a name, having a registered address, appointing partners and registering with Companies House.

• Set up as a sole trader

  Register as a sole trader and find out your legal responsibilities if you run a business as a self-employed sole trader.

• Shared Ownership

  How to share the cost of a new home with a housing association if you can't afford to buy it outright.

• Shared equity for older people

  Information on getting help to buy your home if you're aged 60 or over.

• Sign up to the Scottish Business Pledge

  Find more information on the Scottish Business Pledge - a voluntary commitment Scottish businesses can make.

• Smacking and children

  From 7 November 2020 all forms of physical punishment or physical discipline of children is against the law in Scotland.

• Starting a business from your home

  Information on starting a business from your home including setting up a home office, planning permission, title deeds, health and safety, trading standards and waste management.

• Storms and strong winds

  Help and support during storms and strong winds. Includes information on flooding, lightning, loss of utilities and insurance.

• Support for people affected by Covid

  Find out where to get Covid support. For example, if you're out of work or need help with money or your health.

• Tenancy deposits (landlords)

  Information on registering a tenant's deposit with a scheme and resolving disputes.

• The rights of EU citizens living in Scotland

  Information on the rights of EU citizens living in Scotland. Includes their rights to vote, work, access healthcare, education, housing and benefits.

• Travelling to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

  Includes passports, travel insurance, travelling with pets and haulier information.

• Tree replacement notices

  Information on what a tree replacement notice is and how to appeal if you get one.

• Tree works consent appeals

  How to appeal if your local planning authority refuses your application to cut down or carry out work on a protected tree.

• Types of tenancy

  Information on assured tenancies, short assured tenancies and private residential tenancies.

• Veterans' housing

  Information for veterans on buying or renting property and homelessness.

• Video transcript: What sort of information can I give?

  Transcript of a video covering 'What sort of information can I give' when making a victim statement.

• Video transcript: being a witness

  Transcript of a video covering what help and support you can get when you're a witness at a criminal court case.

• When you need a licence to copy a creative work

  Find out if you need a licence to copy a creative work, find out if a work is covered by copyright or an exception.

• Works that can be carried out through permitted development

  Find out whether the building work you want to carry out needs planning permission.

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