Covid-19 update

Now that Scotland has moved out of the levels system, the government’s advice is that everyone should continue to act carefully and remain cautious. All normal landlord/letting agent activities continue to be permitted including property inspections, viewings, move ins, move outs and safety checks.
 
It is recommended that viewings continue to take place virtually in the first instance and that physical viewings are restricted to appointment only avoiding open house viewings.
 
Property visits to occupied properties can take place provided that the occupants of the house and those visiting the property are well and are not showing coronavirus symptoms and there is no one in the household who is self-isolating. Anyone entering a tenant’s home is recommended to observe social distancing, use appropriate and proportionate protective equipment, and follow the guidance on sanitation.
 
Restrictions on evictions are set to continue until at least 31 March 2022 with 6 months’ notice required in most cases and all evictions being subject to a reasonableness test if the tenant doesn’t leave during the notice period and tribunal action is needed. Recent analysis of tribunal cases by SAL showed that over the period 1 October 2020 to 18 March 2021, no evictions were refused on the grounds of reasonableness, and over the same period the previous year, only one case was refused on the grounds of reasonableness.
 
The Scottish Government’s guidance for landlords and letting agents can be found here and guidance on moving home can be found here.