SafeDeposits Scotland Blog

Landlord fined one third of the deposit for non-compliance

Posted on Friday 27th of February 2015

In the latest ruling under the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011, a landlord has been fined one third of the deposit amount for non-compliance. In Jenson v Fappiano, the landlord failed to transfer a deposit of £1,000 to an approved tenancy deposit scheme or to provide the tenant with the Prescribed Information. The landlord was a first time landlord who had moved in with his father to let out his own home and had "no specialist knowledge of property...Read More

Ask SafeDeposits: How do I complete the prescribed information form?

Posted on Friday 14th of July 2017

How do I complete the prescribed information form? The Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 require landlords who take a deposit from their tenant to: Transfer the deposit to a government approved tenancy deposit scheme; and Provide the tenant(s) with particular key information. The deposit should be protected and the key information provided within 30 working days of the tenancy start date. To help make providing the key information easier, we have a...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

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

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

Student Tenancies - What Happens at the End... and the Beginning

Posted on Wednesday 19th of June 2019

For students across Scotland, summer heralds the end of the academic year. Exam results are being published, glad rags are being donned for summer balls and for those at the end of their studies it is time for graduation. For many, the conclusion of the university or college year also means the end of their tenancy - some students may be moving back home or on to pastures new having graduated, while others may simply have a change of circumstances; perhaps,...Read More