SafeDeposits Scotland Blog

Paying a Deposit in Instalments

Posted on Thursday 11th of April 2019

The SafeDeposits Scotland team has been out and about across Scotland in recent months, both hosting and attending a variety of events aimed at landlords, letting agents and tenants. It is always good to meet face to face the people who use the scheme, and we're pleased to answer any questions that they may have. One query that popped up on a few occasions was whether it is possible for a tenant to pay their tenancy deposit in instalments and if so how...Read More

Frequently Asked Questions About the First-tier Tribunal

Posted on Wednesday 3rd of April 2019

Since 1st December 2017, the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) has received and dealt with applications in respect of Private Sector Rented Cases and Private Residential Tenancies. SafeDeposits Scotland closely monitors cases handled by the First-tier Tribunal, particularly those where tenancy deposits are concerned. As an impartial scheme we would direct any parties - tenants, landlords and letting agents - to the Tribunal...Read More

Tenancy Considerations on National No Smoking Day

Posted on Tuesday 12th of March 2019

Wednesday 13th March is National No Smoking Day. We're not here to tell people whether they should smoke or not, but we have put together a few points on the impact that smoking can have on a rented property (and indeed any property) and some things that landlords and tenants should take into consideration in relation to smoking. There is no shortage of effects that smoking can have on a property. Smell is one of the legacies of a smoker in the room -...Read More

SafeDeposits Scotland Hosting Tenant and Landlord Conferences

Posted on Wednesday 27th of February 2019

Tenants and landlords in Scotland's Private Rented Sector - mark Saturday 25th May in your diaries! That's the day we'll be holding two events - our Tenant Conference and our Landlord Conference - in Glasgow's City Halls. These events are part of our busy calendar, as SafeDeposits Scotland continues to engage with landlords, letting agents and tenants across the country, throughout the year. Both events have been created to provide attendees with information and advice that will help...Read More

Tips for All on Love Your Pet Day

Posted on Wednesday 20th of February 2019

Today (Wednesday 20th February) is Love Your Pet Day. We thought we'd mark the occasion by sharing the love and rounding up some top pet-related tips for tenants, landlords and letting agents alike. If you're a landlord and have chosen to read this article, then the chances are you either already permit tenants to keep a pet or are considering doing so in future. Allowing pets to live in your property is of course entirely optional, but it's clear that...Read More

Fair Wear and Tear - What is it?

Posted on Wednesday 13th of February 2019

They say "All's fair in love and war", but what's fair in wear and tear? Fair wear and tear isn't just a catchphrase that happens to rhyme nicely - it's a legally recognised term surrounding the change that will take place in a property over time, through neither intentional damage or neglect. The House of Lords definition of fair wear and tear is: "Reasonable use of the premises by the tenant and the ordinary operation of natural forces." It is...Read More