News archives
Covid-19 current information
The SAL team is working to represent our members’ views and assist where needed, with the many devastating health, social, personal and economic effects of the current Covid-19 crisis. We are here to provide the most up to date information and guidance for our...
Disposals reminder
From 6 April 2020 onwards UK residents disposing of UK residential property are required to report the disposal to HMRC on a capital gains tax (CGT) return and pay any tax due within 30 days of selling the property, writes David Morrison of EQ Property Taxperts....
Scotland’s first wrongful termination order
Private residential landlords would be wise to take notice of Scotland’s first wrongful termination order. It establishes the fact that the law has teeth – and can bite. It is a ruling which underpins the fact that it could prove costly to evict tenants under...
New 20 year housing strategy paper published
Following a public consultation and engagement with key stakeholder groups, the Scottish Government has published a paper setting out its strategy for housing policy over the next 20 years. The paper sets out the government’s vision for all tenures of housing; owner...
Landlord and tenant loan schemes extended
The government has announced that the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund and the Private Rent Sector Landlord (non-business) COVID-19 Loan Scheme, both of which offer interest-free loans, will continue to receive applications beyond the original deadline of 31 March 2021. The...
Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill
As we reported last summer, Scottish Labour MSP Pauline McNeill has published a Members’ Bill in the Scottish Parliament to place a blanket restriction on mid-tenancy rent increases for Private Residential Tenancies.SAL has published a briefing paper on the Bill which...
The budget for landlords
Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his Budget earlier this afternoon and EQ’s Property Taxperts have briefly summarised the main issues for landlords. The good news: No apparent increase in Capital Gains Tax (CGT)Income tax, NIC rates frozen along with personal...
Pet clauses in tenancy agreements
Members may have read in the news that the English model tenancy agreement has recently been revised to encourage landlords to offer greater flexibility in their approach to pet ownership, and enable responsible pet owning tenants to find private landlords who will...
Renewing letting agent registration – training requirement
Letting agents need to renew their registration with the government on a three yearly basis and the first renewals will fall due this year. The Scottish Government will email you to let you know your renewal is due. If your LARN starts with 18, (for example...
What is wear and tear?
It is a commonly used phrase in lettings, but what does it mean? If an item deteriorates due to wear and tear then the landlord is responsible for the repair/replacement cost. If it has deteriorated due to damage then the landlord can pursue the tenant for...