News archives
Landlord Voice – the new SAL podcast
We’re delighted to announce the launch of our new SAL podcast – Landlord Voice. SAL chief executive, John Blackwood, and Alan Grant, Alan Grant Communications, invite you to join them as they take a deep dive into the PRS in Scotland. Each month they will...
Minimum EPC proposal workshops
As we reported earlier this month (see news article here) the Scottish Government is currently consulting on introducing a minimum energy efficiency standard (MEES) in the PRS in Scotland. The plan is to require a MEES equivalent to EPC C from 1/4/2028 for new...
SAL in the media
Catch up on the latest news items where SAL has been featured: 17/06/25 – The Negotiator – ‘Pause the Scottish tax hike for landlords buying rental properties’ 17/06/25 – Landlord Zone – Landlords urge new Minister to delay tax hike...
New video guide to sanctions checks
Since 14 May 2025 letting agents have been required to carry out financial sanctions checks on landlords and tenants when setting up a new tenancy. The government body which oversees this duty, OFSI, has now published a video guide to checking landlord and tenant...
New minimum EPC proposals
The Scottish Government has published a consultation and draft regulations to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard (MEES) in the PRS in Scotland. This is the 7th consultation in just over 8 years relating to energy efficiency in the PRS in Scotland. The...
Housing (Scotland) Bill update
The Housing (Scotland) Bill, which was first published in March 2024, is due to complete stage two of the parliamentary process next week. The Bill contains a number of provisions which would make changes to the Private Rented Sector (PRS) including long-term rent...
Buy-to-let market update – May 2025
By Doug Hall, director, 3mc Welcome to ‘Buy-to-let market’, a column aimed at providing you with recent criteria and product updates within the buy-to-let (BTL) lending markets. The information within this article is correct as at 28/05/2025. Buy-to-let market update:...
SAL meets with Housing Convener of the City of Edinburgh Council
As well as supporting Scotland’s landlords and letting agents, SAL aims to promote the wider interests of the private rented sector in our local communities. Working with local authorities throughout Scotland helps us get the message across to those in power about...
HMRC advice on filing your Self Assessment tax return
Avoid those January blues by filing that Self Assessment tax return now instead HMRC has discovered that many people wait until the last minute to file their Self Assessment tax returns because they have busy lifestyles and are ‘putting it off.’ The deadline to file...
Final reminder: new sanctions duties (letting agents)
As we previously reported in our member enews in December and March, letting agents will have to comply with new financial sanctions requirements from 14 May 2025. From that date agents setting up a new tenancy will need to check that the landlord(s) and tenant(s) do...