News

2^nd July 2012 – Tenant Deposit Scheme – Schemes in Scotland commence.The Scottish Government has confirmed the dates for the requirements for agents and landlords to protect deposits. The details as follows:

Deposit received prior to 7^th March 2011:
Where tenancy renewed on or after 2^nd October 2012 and before 2^nd April 2013.
(Regulation 47 (a)) – Within 30 working days of renewal

In any other case

(Regulation 47 (b)) – by 15^th May 2013.

2. Deposit received on or after 7^th March 2011 and before 2^nd July 2012
(Regulation 48) – by 13^th November 2012.

3. Deposit received on or after 2^nd July 2012 and before 2^nd October 2012
(Regulation 4) – By 13^th November 2012.

4. Deposit received on or after 2^nd October 2012.
(Regulation 3) – Within 30 working days of the beginning of the tenancy.

March 2012 – Scottish Ministers approve 3 schemes for Tenant Deposit Scheme as below:

The Deposit Protection Service
www.depositprotection.com
Telephone: 0844 4727 000

MyDeposits
www.mydeposits.co.uk
Telephone: 0844 980 0290

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme
www.tds.gb.com
Telephone: 0845 226 7837

Directgov - the Government’s website provides further information on tenancy deposit protection at: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Privaterenting/Tenancies/index.htm

1^st January 2012 – Electrical Installation Condition Report replace the Periodic Inspection Report.

7^th March 2011 – Tenant Deposit Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2011 came into force.

January 2009 – Energy Performance Certificates – All new tenancies will need to be accompanied with a current EPC from Jan 2009.

3^rd September 2007 – Repairing Standard & Private Rented Housing Panel introduced as part of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. – Landlords have a responsibility at the start of a tenancy to inform tenants about the effect this will have on their tenancy agreement.

1^st August 2007 – Dundee City Council – HMO Licences – Legislation changed, Landlords are not allowed to operate a property as an HMO until after a licence has been granted.

30^th April 2006 – Landlord Registration - All private landlords letting properties in Scotland must have applied for registration in the register of landlords. The aim of Landlord Registration is to ensure that all private landlords in Scotland are " fit and proper " to be letting residential property. The registration will help the local authorities remove disreputable landlords from the market and protect tenants and their neighbours from antisocial behaviour and mismanaged property on the wider community.

October 2000 – Mandatory Licensing of HMO (Definition - Houses in Multiple Occupation - property rented to 3 or more unrelated individuals).