The Housing (Scotland) Bill marks significant reform in Scottish housing law. Part 1 of the Bill introduces extensive powers for local authorities (LAs) to assess rent conditions and obtain tenancy-related information from landlords, agents, and tenants. Assessing rent conditions The Bill requires LAs to periodically assess rent levels and increases within their area and the …
Read more >When you’re purchasing a property for your own use, you naturally focus on the location, aesthetics and its emotional appeal. For landlords, however, these factors are secondary to the more critical question: will this asset generate sustainable returns? Standard home buyer due diligence isn’t enough for investors, and if you’re buying a property without the …
Read more >Whilst the sector’s interest is almost entirely focused on the debate around the Housing (Scotland) Bill, and at the time of writing the Scottish Parliament are debating Stage 3 amendments, this blog will focus on a slightly more mundane subject and that is the question of awards of interest on First-tier Tribunal payment orders. We …
Read more >The new visitor levy rules introduced by Edinburgh City Council are yet another example of policymakers trying to tax their way out of a problem without addressing its root causes. The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act became law in September 2024, giving councils across Scotland powers to charge a tax on paid, overnight accommodation. From 24 …
Read more >In a recent Upper Tribunal (UT) decision, the UT looked again at the question of the validity of Notices to Leave where there were errors or omissions in the notices and, in particular, to what extent a failure to complete all parts of the prescribed form for the notice to leave (NTL) would invalidate the …
Read more >Before you welcome your first tenants, you need to ensure that you comply with the many regulations related to the residential lettings industry. As a landlord you are obliged to meet certain legal requirements and your property must also meet specific minimum standards. The purpose of this guidance sheet is to provide you with an …
Read more >
