News
Update on minimum EPC requirement
Written bylianne: 31 December, 2020The Scottish Government has advised SAL that it plans to have minimum EPC regulations (which were postponed due to covid) re-laid before parliament in the spring to come into force on 1 April 2021. The regulations will be amended to remove the “E” standard and require private rented sector…
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Covid - 19 Restrictions - Moving Home
Written bylianne: 21 December, 2020Covid-19 restrictions With recent changes to the Covid-19 local protection levels for many areas and most of Scotland moving to Level 4 from Boxing Day, the Scottish Government guidance for landlords and letting agents are as follows: Offices – businesses can remain open but working from home should be the…
Read moreCOVID 19 - Keeping you safe moving home
Written bylianne: 24 August, 2020Where you are moving to or from a rented property the local authority, housing association, letting agent or landlord will be able to give you advice. Specific advice in relation to renting is set out below but the following still applies. This guidance contains advice to ensure that moving home in…
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Court Rules - Blanket bans on renting properties to people on housing benefit are unlawful and discriminatory
Written bylianne: 25 July, 2020In the first court case of its kind, a judge has ruled that a letting agent unlawfully discriminated against a single mother by refusing to consider a tenancy application from her because she was in receipt of benefit. The judge concluded that “the defendant’s former policy of rejecting tenancy applications…
Read moreVital 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…
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