Category: Tenants
Change to EPC proposals announced
Written bylianne: 04 November, 2021The Scottish Government has announced updated proposals for introducing a minimum EPC standard in the private rented sector (PRS). Previous proposals to require a standard of D from 2022 will now not be taken forward in recognition of the significant impact on the sector caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead,…
Read more
January 2021 lockdown guidance for moving house
Written bylianne: 05 January, 2021Looking to move house, under the latest restrictions the government has said: You can leave home "for activities in connection with moving home (including viewing a property), or for activities in connection with the maintenance, purchase, sale, letting, or rental of residential property that the person owns or is otherwise…
Read moreUpdate 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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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 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 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 more