The award, the largest the Trust has ever made, was donated to site owner Shelter Scotland to redevelop, update and host the RentingScotland.org website, which was originally sponsored by the Scottish Government.

The aim of RentingScotland.org is to ensure that Scotland’s private rented sector is more effective at providing high quality, well-managed homes. It exists as an independent platform that promotes the Tenant Information Pack, checklist tools for landlords and guidance for both parties.

And with significant changes to private renting laws over the next 12 months – including the new private tenancy agreements – RentingScotland.org will be an invaluable source of up-to-date information on tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities.

SafeDeposits Scotland is a Scottish tenancy deposit scheme. Its running costs are met purely from the interest it receives from the tenant deposits it keeps safe and any profit it makes goes to the SafeDeposits Scotland Trust, which awards grants to improve education and training in the private rental market.

Adam Lang, head of communications and policy at Shelter Scotland, said: “We think the revamped RentingScotland website will become an invaluable resource to tenants and landlords especially in light of the significant changes coming up to private renting law – in particular the new private tenancy agreement.

“Providing impartial, accurate and up-to-date information will help tenants and landlords know their rights and responsibilities which in turn should ensure a smooth and successful tenancy.

“We thank SafeDeposits Scotland Trust for their support to help us redevelop and run RentingScotland.org at this vital point in time for Scotland’s private rented sector.”

SafeDeposits Scotland Trust chairman, John Duff, said: “The legislative changes will touch everyone in the private rented sector, from landlords and agents to tenants and housing providers and having an up-to-date, comprehensive resource such as Rentingscotland.org is vital. By funding the overhaul of the website, the SafeDeposits Scotland Trust is proactively improving education and knowledge, superbly fulfilling our central aims. The grant that we are giving will allow the well-used and authoritative website to maintain its high standards and to continue to advance the sector.”