SafeDeposits Scotland Blog

How to Avoid Winter-Related Deposit Disputes

Posted on Wednesday 14th of November 2018

With the weather turning, we take a look at the potential winter-related problems that can affect a tenancy deposit - and how to avoid them. As temperatures plummet and the nights draw in, the elements can have an impact upon properties. For letting agents and landlords, it's important that the right checks are made to ensure any potential damage is avoided or minimised. As ever, preparation is key. Where possible, landlords should personally carry out...Read More

How is my Deposit Repaid if I've Moved Away from the UK?

Posted on Wednesday 7th of November 2018

Every day at SafeDeposits Scotland we speak to people around the world - often former tenants who have moved back to their home country after a temporary spell in Scotland, and sometimes Scots (both tenants and landlords) who have relocated overseas for a new chapter in their lives. Our deposit repayment procedure is designed so that payment can be requested as soon as a tenancy ends and - subject to all parties agreeing - monies can be in a tenant's UK bank account within a matter of...Read More

Haunted Households

Posted on Wednesday 31st of October 2018

Last Halloween we brought you a round up of the seven creepiest haunted houses in Scotland. Now we're back with more examples of ghostly goings on around the country. Castles and remote mansions featured heavily on our last trip into the spirit world, but as you'll read below things can go bump in the night in even the most pedestrian of surroundings... Edinburgh - Charlotte Square The capital has a reputation as a hotspot for hauntings and while spooky goings on at the likes of...Read More

SafeDeposits' Top Points from the Letting Agent Code of Practice

Posted on Tuesday 23rd of October 2018

1st October has been and gone, and if you're a letting agent operating in Scotland your application for the Scottish Letting Agent Register should have been submitted before that deadline. It's the latest key date in what has been a significant year for letting agents in Scotland, with the publication of the Letting Agent Code of Practice back in January. The Code of Practice, as one would expect for such an important document, covers many bases - we're sure you've already read it, and...Read More

Don't Leaf it to Chance - Autumn Adjudication Case Study

Posted on Thursday 4th of October 2018

You'd be forgiven for thinking that we've gone straight from summer to winter, but Scottish Autumn climate brings its own unique challenges for tenants, landlords and letting agents when it comes to tenancy deposits.

Recently, our adjudication team looked into a case that highlighted these potential issues and raised key points that everyone in the private rented sector (PRS) should be aware of. In this situation, the tenant moved into the property in the...Read More

Brush Up on Rights, Rules and Regulations

Posted on Thursday 27th of September 2018

Did you see the trailer for Mary Poppins Returns, which was released a couple of weeks ago? Pretty magical stuff. And no sooner had we started whistling Chim Chim Cher-ee, we read a startling statistic in relation to chimney sweeping that would have Dick Van Dyke exclaiming "Cor, Blimey!" 89% of respondents to a recent survey of UK tenants conducted by AXA Insurance said it was the tenant's responsibility to keep any chimneys swept. However - contrary to that fairly overwhelming response...Read More