SafeDeposits Scotland Blog

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

Changes on the Way for the Repairing Standard

Posted on Wednesday 30th of January 2019

The Private Rented Sector (PRS) will see further legislative changes over the next few years, with the next date for the diary just weeks away. These particular changes relate to Scotland's Repairing Standard and here we summarise what to expect. The Repairing Standard is a basic level of repair that private rented properties must meet. It is a landlord's duty to make sure the property they're renting out meets the Repairing Standard, whose requirements...Read More

Deposit Protection at Your Fingertips... 365 Days a Year

Posted on Wednesday 9th of January 2019

Whether you were celebrating Christmas or not, we hope that you managed to enjoy at least a day or two relaxing over the recent holiday period. We know however that in the busy private rented sector, few things stand still - it's a fact of life that people need to move into properties and start new tenancies throughout the year and indeed, the holidays are often the most suitable time for tenants to move due to their own work or education commitments. For...Read More

Your Views - Findings From Our 2018 Surveys

Posted on Wednesday 19th of December 2018

This year - as we do every year - we issued surveys to all tenants, landlords and agents to ask for their views on SafeDeposits Scotland. Customer service is of paramount importance to us, therefore we really do value the feedback of all who use our services. We're grateful for the many compliments we receive and we take on board comments where room for improvement is identified. As 2018 draws to a close and we look back on the year, we wanted to share...Read More

Christmas Opening Hours

Posted on Wednesday 5th of December 2018

That's right... Christmas Opening Hours. We know it's only the first week of December, but we're not just being over-eager about the festive season - we're sharing our opening hours for the season with the best of intentions. As always we aim to make things run as smoothly as possible for all landlords, letting agents and tenants, so wanted to let you know when you'll be able to reach us. This is also a reminder that bank holidays are not counted as a...Read More

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