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 >The Sheriff Appeal Court has recently upheld a decision that a landlord did not breach their duties under the Occupiers’ Liability (Scotland) Act 1960. The case involved a tenant, NM, who sought damages after her children fell into a hot bath sustaining injuries. NM held a short-assured tenancy from March 2017 to November 2018. In …
Read more >The Equality Act came into force in October 2010, bringing several previous pieces of legislation addressing discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, sexual orientation and disability under one overall legislative framework. The Act also prohibited discrimination on several new grounds too, giving legal grounds for complaint on 9 protected characteristics: age disability gender reassignment …
Read more >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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