Signing up to a tenancy agreement is an important legal process, one which is not necessarily ‘taught’ at any stage in formal education. People tend to learn about obtaining a tenancy by Googling information, asking others about their experiences, or worse still, getting it wrong and learning from their own, sometimes costly, mistakes.
Scotland’s first dedicated educational portal for private rented sector tenants has been launched by Share. Funding from SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust allowed Share to create this one-of-a-kind resource for tenants in the PRS or MMR sector.
The digital courses, available 24/7, are hosted on Share’s learning management system, and will take tenants through the lifecycle of a tenancy, arranging the learning into three key sections:
- Planning your move – understanding tenancy agreements, affordability, and key questions to ask before renting
- Moving in and living in – rights and responsibilities, property maintenance, and tenant protections
- Moving out – notice periods, deposits, and guidance for a smooth transition
Supporting informed tenants and a stronger rental sector
The portal will enable tenants to enhance their knowledge of the tenancy processes that they have signed up to, empowering them to manage their tenancies with confidence and seek answers or assistance from the right place, should they need to.
Anyone with a Private Residential Tenancy (PRT) can sign up to the portal, the only requirement being proof of the tenancy agreement.
With latest figures showing that the number of people living in private rented accommodation being at an all-time high, this valuable resource will not only help tenants wanting to learn more but allows private landlords to signpost their tenants to high quality educational resources, which should benefit everyone.
Ensuring that tenants can make informed decisions at every stage of their tenancy will enhance confidence in the sector, promote fair renting practices and perhaps encourage some to consider housing as a career.
Watch this short video on the PRS Portal
