The clock is ticking for owners or long term tenants of land or property to submit an entry to a new register designed to provide clarity over who controls land in Scotland.

Launched on April 1, 2022, the Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land (RCI) exists to improve transparency about those who ultimately make decisions about the management or use of land, even if they are not necessarily registered as the owner.

Failure to submit an entry before the deadline of April 1, 2024, could result in fine of up to £5000.

Registers of Scotland maintains the RCI and provides guidance and support on who needs to apply and how to do so.

Cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands, Mairi Gougeon said: “Who owns and controls Scotland’s land and property matters, which is why we launched the Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land in April 2022.

“The Register was designed to provide greater transparency over who has control over decision making in relation to land and property and the two-year transitional period to make an entry is now coming to an end.

“Non-compliance will become a criminal offence as of April 1, 2024 which means those in scope who should be on the Register but have not met the deadline could risk a fine of up to £5000.

“The regulations are not intended to capture those who own their own home where there is no one with significant influence or control over them.

“I urge everyone who may be unsure, to go to the Registers of Scotland website and make use of the extensive guidance on offer.”

The register has attracted the support of Scottish Land and Estates (SLE).

Policy advisor Sarah Madden said: “SLE and its members have been very supportive of the desire to see increased transparency of ownership.

“We launched our Landowners’ Commitment in 2014 which included a commitment to be open and transparent. Our members have also been at the forefront of assisting the Scottish Government achieve its goal of completing the Land Register, a contribution that has been recognised by government.

“The Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest is an important step in ensuring that owners, whether they be public, private, charities or communities, are visible to the communities they are a part of. We have been supporting Registers of Scotland (RoS) to increase awareness of the impending deadline and as entry applications continue to filter through, it is vital that RoS is provided with the resources it requires from government to handle the additional workload.”

The RCI provides a free to search register of persons with influence or control over land or assets.

Keeper of the Registers of Scotland, Jennifer Henderson, said: “Registers of Scotland are pleased to be custodians of another register that offers insight into the transparency of land and property ownership nationwide.

“The data within the Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land is already becoming a valuable asset for the people and economy of Scotland.”