Improve your property and fight fuel poverty

Home Energy Scotland informs provides information on grants and support available for private landlords to improve energy efficiency and cut bills for tenants. Making your property more energy efficient can do more than improve your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, it could make gas and electricity bills more affordable…

Update to Smoke Detector Guidance issued by Scottish Government and the PRHP

The Scottish Government has produced revised statutory guidance on the requirements for smoke alarms in private let properties. A copy of the revised statutory  guidance is available on the PRHP website by visiting  www.prhpscotland.gov.uk. However, the main points relative to smoke detectors are as follows.  The revised Domestic Technical…

Saftey Warning about use of E-Cigarettes

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued the following fire prevention directorate on the use of e-cigarettes powered by lithium-ion batteries, due to increasing number of fires caused by this product. This is important advice for all homeowners and landlords to protect their homes against this identified increased risk of…

Landlord Immigration Checks – Introducing The Immigration Act 2014

 What is the Immigration Act? The introduction of the first phase of the "right to rent" scheme is part of a drive to "create a hostile environment" for illegal migrants in Britain and to deny them access to public services they are not entitled to. The Immigration Bill received Royal…

European legislation has left the fate of many buy-to-let investors unclear.

Buy-to-let investors and mortgage lenders remain angered and bemused by EU legislation that could leave some owners of second properties struggling to find a loan. European legislation will make it harder for so-called "accidental landlords" to borrow. This undefined group could include those home owners unable to sell their property…

Landlords' greatest worries? Voids and damage

It’s probably unsurprising but a survey of almost 3,000 landlords has confirmed that their two greatest worries about letting are void periods and property damage. The ranking of concerns were consistent across professional and ‘accidental’ landlords and came in a survey conducted on 2,951 investment owners by The Property Academy.…

ONS: Rental returns increased over past 12 months

Buy-to-let investors have seen the rents associated with their property rise by an average of 1% over the past 12 months. Summary: ONS figures show rents increased by an average of 1% over the past 12 months Properties in Scotland generated the highest rise in rental values An increased demand…

Scottish Government to Introduce Tenancy Reforms for Private Rental Sector - Opportunity to have your voice heard.

The Scottish Government has announced the following consultation periods for interested parties to respond to proposals to: Amend powers of local authorities in dealing with poor quality housing in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Proposed reforms to to the private rented sector in Scotland Consultation on proposed reforms to the…

UPDATE ON HOUSING ACT (SCOTLAND)

AN UPDATE ON HOUSING ACT (SCOTLAND) FROM RORY COWAN OF TC YOUNG SOLICITORS

The headline grabbing part of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014, which received Royal assent on the 1st of August (the Act), is the abolition of the right to buy. Indeed, chunks of the Act deal…

Consumer Protection Legislation - Landlord's Dos and Don'ts

Landlord and Agent Duties to Tenants under Consumer Protection Legislation - Dos and Don'ts

This guide summarises the responsibilities of landlords and agents (both letting and managing agents) towards tenants and prospective tenants under European Union Consumer Protection and allied Legislation as it applies in the United Kingdom.…