SafeDeposits Scotland Blog

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

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