Category: Landlords
Vital referencing check on prospective tenants
Written bylianne: 16 October, 2019The First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) publishes details of all the cases it deals with including actions to evict tenants and recover sums owed from tenants for rent arrears or damages. It is vital that landlords and letting agents check this database as part of the background…
Read moreNo DSS - Property Advertising
Written bylianne: 16 October, 2019As we reported back in May, the UK Government’s Work & Pensions Committee are conducting an inquiry into letting adverts which potentially discriminate against would-be tenants on housing benefit. In light of this, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have updated their guidance on consumer protection law for letting professionals.…
Read moreNew rules for landlord registration in Scotland
Written bylianne: 16 October, 2019From 16 September 2019, the information that landlords are required to provide to register or renew their application on the National Landlord Register has changed. Since mandatory landlord registration was introduced by the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act in 2004, the information required to be provided by applicants has remained…
Read moreParliament call for changes to benefit system
Written bylianne: 08 July, 2019The Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee is conducting an inquiry into social security support for housing. The Committee is exploring how changes to the social security system are impacting on tenants and landlords. In addition to a written response (remember you need to be logged in to see this) to the committee’s…
Read moreLandlord Registration: Late Application Fees
Written bylianne: 08 July, 2019Landlord Registration: Late Application Fees The Scottish Government have issued the following advice on Late Application Fees: Existing landlords, including joint owners, must lodge a renewal application before the current registration expires if they are still letting property. Failure to do so is a criminal offence. The supporting legislation dictates…
Read moreAverage rent in Scotland up 1.7% and yields among the highest in the UK
Written bylianne: 24 May, 2019The average rent in Scotland increased by 1.7% in the 12 months to April 2019 to £581 per calendar month, led by growth of 3.6% in the Highlands and Islands, the latest index report shows. Overall rents rose in three of the five regions surveyed by the Your Move rental…
Read moreScottish Landlords - Minimum EPC requirement
Written bylianne: 24 May, 2019SAL has recently met with the Scottish Government to get an update on the minimum EPC requirement which is due to come in next year for PRS properties. We’ve been advised that draft legislation and guidance will be published for consultation at the end of May and following this regulations…
Read moreScottish Landlord Registration: Late Application Fees
Written bylianne: 24 May, 2019Landlord Registration: Late Application Fees The Scottish Government have issued the following advice on Late Application Fees: Existing landlords, including joint owners, must lodge a renewal application before the current registration expires if they are still letting property. Failure to do so is a criminal offence and the supporting legislation…
Read more“No DSS” policies - private landlords
Written bylianne: 14 May, 2019In recent times there has been more awareness and recognition that landlords, lenders and insurers who have blanket policies of not accepting tenants in receipt of social security benefits could be acting unlawfully. This is because such a rule may discriminate against people with disabilities or members of other groups…
Read moreScottish Landlords - Fire detection in private rented properties: guidance
Written bylianne: 28 February, 2019Fire and Smoke Alarms The Scottish Government has drafted revised guidance for private landlords on fire and smoke alarms. The new guidance will allow the repairing standards to be met by either mains-wired systems or tamper proof long-life lithium battery alarms. Battery alarms or combined battery/mains-wired systems must be interlinked,…
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