Scottish Mediation receives funding to deliver conflict resolution workshops for letting agents and landlords and mediation for neighbour disputes
Scottish mediation has received a £28,763 funding award from the SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust to:
Scottish Mediation has been delivering Mediating Skills workshops to letting agents and landlords with support from the SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust since 2019. The workshops give participants the chance to learn about the causes of conflict and how it can escalate, as well as how to avoid situations where relationship breakdowns can lead to conflict with a view to avoiding costly and time-consuming disputes, tenancies ending prematurely, deposit disputes and cases being referred to the Housing and Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal. The workshops have been endorsed by the Scottish Government's Letting Agent Registration Team and count for three hours' worth of formal continuing professional development (CPD) for letting agents.
An online version was developed during COVID restrictions and this has proved so popular that future workshops are likely to be online although a face to face option is available. The workshops have been very successful and have been embedded as Module 5 of the LAS Letting Agent Compliance programme. Feedback from participants has been excellent. Some examples:
The second part of the funding is to provide a new mediation service for neighbour disputes. These disputes can be extremely stressful and destructive and can lead to time-consuming complaints and loss of tenancies. The service will be administered by Scottish Mediation and provided by a panel of fully qualified accredited mediators from the Scottish Mediation Register. There is a gap in the existing services for providing accessible mediation for neighbour disputes and this will benefit not only the individuals but also their letting agents and landlords.
Scottish Mediation, which was founded in 1990, seeks to promote an understanding of mediation in dealing with conflict situations, both in terms of housing and other areas.
A grant-giving charity, the SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust was established to help improve Scotland's PRS. It promotes and facilitates education, training and best practice within the sector by funding projects that provide tangible benefits to landlords, letting agents and tenants alike.
Graham Boyack, Director of Scottish Mediation, said: "Scottish Mediation is delighted to continue our excellent relationship with the SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust and we are confident that the funding awarded will help build positive relationships in the private rented sector and avoid stressful, costly and time-consuming disputes."
John Duff, Chairman of the SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust, said: "We are pleased to have awarded this latest grant to Scottish Mediation, who have continued to innovate and provide an expanding selection of mediation and training options for those living and working in Scotland's private rented sector. The work they do fits squarely with one of the Trust's aims, which is to advance conflict resolution between parties in the sector."
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