Land ownership is public information, as is the name of landlords.
Landlords
You can search for the details of a private landlord through the Register of Private Landlords. You will need either a landlord registration number or the postcode of the rental property. You can find a postcode using the Royal Mail Postcode Finder.
Alternatively, you can ask the tenant for the name of the flat owner. They may refer you to a letting agent who you can contact instead. Letting agents in Scotland are required to register and follow a Code of Guidance, which says that agents must respond promptly to any appropriate third parties, ‘particularly where these relate to statutory repairing or maintenance obligations or safety regulations’.
Empty flats
You may be able to find the name of the current owner in the Land Register. Note that it may take a few months (or sometimes years) to update the register after a sale. You will have to pay a small fee. If the property has been owned for quite some time, the title may remain in the older Sasine Register. It is more difficult to search this register. However, Registers of Scotland may be able to assist with easy ownership enquiries (at a cost). If Registers of Scotland cannot assist, you may need to instruct a lawyer to carry out an ownership search for you.
You can also search the Land Register for other properties owned by a person. While this may provide a home address, it should be noted that the addresses listed on titles do not automatically update when a person moves and the information may only be accurate as of the date of purchase.
If your council has an Empty Homes Officer, contact them for help. You can find a list of Empty Homes Officers for each council and their contact details on the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership website. If your council does not have an Empty Homes Officer, you can contact the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership.
If the flat is empty due to the owner passing away, their executor is responsible for dealing with the administration of their estate (which may include dealing with the property maintenance).
Shops
You can find the names of shop owners and their tenants through the Scottish Assessors website. However, this information is not always accurate as it depends on who is responsible for paying the Business Rates (the commercial version of Council Tax).
Help from your council
If you are trying to carry out common repairs, most local authorities will send a message to the person registered as the property owner on the Council Tax Register. Approach the private sector housing staff for help.
Searching online
Try searching online for the owner if you know the name. You may come across a Facebook page or other reference. If you contact an owner through e.g. Facebook, this will count as an electronic communication. Keep screenshots of such communications for your records.
Sheriff Officers and Private Detectives
This may incur a cost but could be worth it if other methods have failed and you have a lot of money at stake.
