Category: Being a Landlord

Plans for a Revised Heat in Buildings Bill Is a Step in the Right Direction but More to Be Done

On 3 April 2025, Alasdair Allan MSP, acting Minister for Climate Action, confirmed that a revised version of the Heat in Buildings Bill will be introduced to the Scottish Parliament later this year. The revised Bill will set a new statutory target for decarbonising heating systems by 2045, rather than a prohibition of polluting heating …

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Latest Updates on the Progression of the Housing (Scotland) Bill

The Housing (Scotland) Bill, launched on 26 March 2024, is currently working its way through Parliament and is expected to reach stage two of the legislative process shortly. So, what does this mean for landlords? One of the most contentious changes is the proposal for rent controls. Under the Bill, local authorities will be required …

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Transferring Tenancy Deposits between Approved Schemes

We have blogged on tenancy deposits before and, in particular, claims against landlords for failing to lodge deposits with an approved tenancy deposit scheme continue to form a significant proportion of the business of the First-tier Tribunal: Housing and Property Chamber. After eviction and civil cases, tenancy deposit claims are the third largest category of …

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Lead Testing – What are the rules?

From 1st  March 2024 it became a mandatory requirement of The Repairing Standard that landlords must ensure the water supply in their private rented properties is free of lead pipes, lead lined storage tanks and fittings from the boundary stopcock to the kitchen tap. All properties built before 1970 must be tested as the use …

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Energy Efficiency Made Easy: Smart Automation for Greener Scottish Rentals

There’s no doubt that our lives have been completely transformed by smart technology, from health-focused smart watches that keep us on top of our daily step count to home assistants that make ordering essentials and staying up to date with the news that much easier. With more people working from home, and renters becoming increasingly …

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Retrofitting a Tenement Property? Essential New Guidance:

‘Retrofit’ refers to the improvement of existing buildings to meet modern energy-efficiency standards. It is a priority for many homeowners, as retrofit measures such as installing heat pumps or insulation can help to save money on energy bills and make their home feel warmer. However, in shared buildings such as tenements, retrofitting common areas of …

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