The Scottish Government has pledged to bring forward legislation to restrict the use of unsuitable temporary accommodation for homeless people in the next programme for government. During a debate on homelessness in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, housing minister Kevin Stewart said the governmen
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Three appeals challenging a City of Edinburgh Council policy to take enforcement action when properties are being misused as short term lets have been dismissed by the Scottish Government. The cases all centred around alleged breaches of planning control involving the material change of use of prope
The average rent for a two bedroom property rose in the past year in all but four areas across Scotland, according to the latest figures from the Scottish Government. Increases ranged from 0.3% in Perth and Kinross to 6.5% in Lothian. The areas that didn't see an increase include Aberdeen and Shire,
A coalition of renters unions across the country staged a demonstration against banking firm Natwest on Saturday over its “discriminatory” buy to let mortgages. In the first co-ordinated action of its kind, ACORN, Living Rent and London Renters Union organised the demonstrations at Natwest branc
Graham Simpson MSP Graham Simpson MSP used his address at the Scottish Association of Landlords’ annual conference and exhibition to highlight issues in Scottish housing market.
John Blackwood Scotland’s largest landlord membership organisation has welcomed broad political support for stronger enforcement of rules governing landlords and letting agents operating in the private rented sector to allow a better service for tenants.
An online ‘toolkit’ for Scottish tenants on how to best navigate the rental system has been launched by Shelter Scotland, with funding from the SafeDeposits Scotland Trust. The Toolkit for Tenants contains a series of guides for Scottish tenants covering deposits and housing costs to repairs, in
The City of Edinburgh Council is to request that the Scottish Government conducts a review into the effectiveness of a rent pressure zone (RPZ) after a report found that the policy is not fit for purpose. Designed to cap any future increase in rent in a local authority area, RPZs became available as
Landlords will be forced to acquire full planning permission to lease homes by the night on websites including Airbnb after changes to the Scottish Government’s Planning Bill were agreed by MSPs. Holyrood’s local government and communities committee agreed an amendment from tabled by Scottish Gr
Scottish Greens have welcomed changes to the Scottish Government’s planning bill which they say will help tackle Scotland’s housing crisis by making land for housebuilding more affordable, however housebuilders have called the measures “premature”. Housing spokesperson Andy Wightman MSP said
East Ayrshire Council has announced the fourth annual private landlord conference to be held on Saturday, 10 November at St Joseph's Academy in Kilmarnock. The conference, which will be hosted by the East Ayrshire Private Sector Housing Unit in conjunction with North and South Ayrshire councils, wil
Rock Trust property officer Tammy Reilly details a new Rent Deposit Scheme project which aims to help young people secure tenancies in the private sector. What are the causes of homelessness? We ask again and again. We share evidence. We share reports. Some of the answers change, some stay the same.
Victoria Smith Landlords in Peterhead can sign-up for free training into managing tenancy deposits and disputes following higher-than-average rent arrears claims.
The UK government has come under increased pressure to immediately halt the roll-out of Universal Credit after new reports revealed that struggling homeowners, working single parents and disabled people will be the hardest hit under the new benefits system unless urgent action is taken in the next b
People from across Ayrshire descended on Prestwick to find out more about the hot topics facing the private rented sector. South Ayrshire Council hosted a one-day conference at Prestwick Academy in partnership with East and North Ayrshire councils.