Scottish Government

The responsibilities of the Scottish Government include health, education, justice, rural affairs, housing and the environment.
Services
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Acting on behalf of someone applying for benefits
If you want to apply for a benefit on behalf of someone else, find out how. -
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. -
Adult Disability Payment
Information about Adult Disability Payment including payment rates, who should apply, how to apply, what happens after you apply and what to do if you disagree with a decision. -
Adult Disability Payment consultations
Information about attending a consultation after your Adult Disability Payment application. -
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 Scotland's Redress Scheme
Find out more about applying for Scotland's Redress Scheme and how to get help and support. -
Apply for a postal vote
You can apply for postal vote by downloading an application form. -
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. -
Apply to lease an accessible vehicle
How to lease a vehicle through the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme. -
Apply to offer a home to someone from Ukraine - Homes for Ukraine
Apply to the Homes for Ukraine Super Sponsor Scheme -
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. -
Automated decision making
What automated decision making is and how it works for each benefit. -
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. -
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 at your house
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 at your house
Information on planning permission for adding installations such as swimming pools or free-standing solar panels. -
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 Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults
Some adults in Scotland who get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will have their benefit moved to Social Security Scotland. -
Changes to unmeasured water and sewerage charges for businesses
Find out about the changes to water and sewerage charges for businesses. -
Child Disability Payment
Information about Child Disability Payment including payment rates, who should apply, how to apply, what happens after you apply and what to do if you disagree with a decision. -
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. -
Complain about Social Security Scotland
You can complain about Social Security Scotland in person, by phone, in writing, online or on social media. -
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. -
Designing your home
How to design your own home with the help of an architect. -
Disability Living Allowance to Adult Disability Payment review form
Use this form to help Social Security Scotland make sure you’re on the right level of payment. -
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. -
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. -
Extra support if you get a disability payment
How to apply for extra benefits and services if you get Child Disability Payment or Adult Disability Payment. -
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. -
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. -
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 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 energy bills
Check what grants, payments and benefits you could get to help with energy bills. -
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 information for the Armed Forces community
Information for the armed forces community on buying or renting property and homelessness. -
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. -
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 or they are no longer carrying out letting agency work. -
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. -
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. -
Moving from Child Disability Payment to Adult Disability Payment
Information about what you need to do if you get Child Disability Payment and want to apply for Adult Disability Payment. -
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 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 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 to your house
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-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. -
Share your experience of benefits or care needs at pension age
The Scottish Government would like to hear from people in Scotland over pension age with benefit experience, or care needs. -
Share your experience of caring for someone of pension age
The Scottish Government would like to hear from people in Scotland with experience of caring for someone of pension age -
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. -
Short-term Assistance
Find out how you can apply for Short-term Assistance from Social Security Scotland. -
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. -
Social Security Scotland Satisfaction Survey for disability payments
Find out about the Social Security Scotland Satisfaction Survey and how to complete it. -
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. -
Surrender and Compensation Scheme for knives and bladed weapons
The Surrender and Compensation Scheme for knives and bladed weapons is now closed. If you own any listed weapons, it is now illegal to have them in your home -
Tenancy deposits (landlords)
Information on registering a tenant's deposit with a scheme and resolving disputes. -
Third party authorisation form
Use this form to authorise someone to speak to Social Security Scotland on your behalf. -
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. -
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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