A new grant-giving educational charity is seeking expressions of interest from projects which aim to support improvements in the private rented sector in Scotland.

SafeDeposits Scotland Trust is inviting ideas from Scotland’s landlords, letting agencies and tenant groups on how it can support improvements to the private rented sector, by funding training projects which will provide tangible benefits to landlords, letting agents and tenants alike.

Chairman David Wilson, who is also executive director of Strathclyde University’s International Public Policy Institute, said: “We’re delighted to be able to allocate funds to projects aimed at bringing real benefits to landlords and tenants across Scotland.

“By inviting expressions of interest, we hope to build a clear picture of how we can best support improvements in the sector. We can fund projects, large or small, that fit with our charitable purposes – and we are very keen to get new ideas and suggestions on how to do that.”

The Trust is funded from reserves built up by SafeDeposits Scotland, the not-for-profit tenancy deposit scheme which has attracted over 60 per cent of the tenancy deposit market and safeguards over £68.8 million of deposits.

SafeDeposits Scotland CEO Jennifer Paice has paid off its set up and running costs three years ahead of schedule and as a result is ready to Gift Aid the first surplus interest to the Trust.

Businesses and individuals involved in the private rented sector are invited to submit an expression of interest via the website www.safedepositsscotlandtrust.com or email info@safedepositsscotlandtrust.com by April 15th to be considered for the first round of grants.