PRS

Brian Moran, area lettings director for Your Move, has been appointed to the board of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA). The move means the UK professional and regulatory body for lettings agents will have a representative for Scotland for the first time.

Jimmy Black You are looking for your first rented flat, and a landlord says "give me £200 and I'll keep this flat for you. But back out and the money's mine". Would you know this was an illegal premium? If the landlord then said: "Leave the place in good order and I'll give you back a month's rent"

Tracey Menzies Delays to planning consent are the most significant barrier to building new homes, according to a survey of the housebuilding sector conducted by law firm Brodies LLP.

David Orr Britain’s private rents are the highest in Europe, take up the biggest chunk of people’s salaries and are among the least secure, according to new analysis by the National Housing Federation.

Dame Angela Watkinson Two pieces of legislation that will make it easier for authorities to identify criminal landlords in England were introduced by MPs yesterday.

Young people face considerable challenges navigating the housing market, with those on low and insecure incomes vulnerable and at potential risk of homelessness, according to a new report from the University of St Andrews published today. “Housing Generation Rent - What are the Challenges for Hous

Graeme Brown Reforming Scotland’s private rented sector to make it fit for the 21st Century and fair for all is the theme of a major conference taking place today.

Ellie Hutchinson, Private Renting Project Manager, introduces Shelter Scotland’s national private tenants forum. Running in four local areas, and supported by a national online presence, this forum aims to strengthen private tenants’ voices in policy formation. A house is more than bricks and mo

Mike Campbell The private rented sector (PRS) is fully aware it has a crucial role to play in tackling Scotland’s housing crisis, according to a letting agent manager.

West Lothian Council has increased the housing options available for local people with the re-launch of the new West Lothian Home Choice website. The new website has been developed in conjunction with several surrounding local authorities including Edinburgh, the Lothian's and Falkirk who are part o

Alan Ward Landlords are calling for urgent discussions with ministers following a ruling by the European Court of Justice that will make it more expensive to insulate private rented housing.

New controls over private sector rents would price visitors out of staying in Edinburgh during the festivals, letting agents have claimed. David Alexander, managing director of DJ Alexander, said he fears fewer flats would be available for short-term rent under proposals drawn up by the Scottish Gov

By Adam Lang, head of communications & policy at Shelter Scotland Shelter Scotland believes that the proposed reforms to the Private Rented Sector (PRS) tenancy that the Scottish Government is due to bring forward later this year represent a positive and progressive step forward and are sorely n

Shelter Scotland has published a paper which sets out the principles it believes should underpin further devolution of social security - including housing benefit – to the Scottish Parliament, and what steps the Scottish Government and UK governments should take in relation to the devolution of so

Christopher Hamer and board chariman Bill McClintock The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme has unveiled two new versions of its Code of Practice for sales and lettings agents operating in Scotland as it officially marked the launch of TPO Scotland.