Training webinars with Landlord Accreditation Scotland (LAS)

Training is an important part of managing properties and tenancies successfully. Landlord Accreditation Scotland are running webinars, sponsored by LPS Scotland, covering the key areas of Tenancy Management and Creating Inventories. Whether you’ve been in the industry 20 years or you’re managing your first tenancy, the webinars are suitable for all landlords and letting agents.

The Tenancy Management training will cover topics such as how best to communicate with tenants, the procedures to go through before starting a tenancy and how to administer your tenancy deposit. As well as important subjects such as equality, complaints and disputes, and how to deal with anti-social behaviour.

The webinar on Creating Inventories covers the information you need to avoid deposit disputes at the end of a tenancy. You’ll be guided through check-in and check-out reports, routine visits and inspections, as well as providing you with a framework for preparation of a inventory document and advice on how to use it at your final inspection.

The webinars take place throughout the year so keep an eye on forthcoming dates here.

Develop your skills with training webinars sponsored by LPS Scotland

Training is an important part of managing properties and tenancies successfully. Landlord Accreditation Scotland are running webinars, sponsored by LPS Scotland, covering the key areas of Tenancy Management and Creating Inventories. Whether you’ve been in the industry 20 years or you’re managing your first tenancy, the webinars are suitable for all landlords and letting agents.

The Tenancy Management training will cover topics such as how best to communicate with tenants, the procedures to go through before starting a tenancy and how to administer your tenancy deposit. As well as important subjects such as equality, complaints and disputes, and how to deal with anti-social behaviour.

The webinar on Creating Inventories will take place on 1 June, 2022, 2.00pm - 3.15pm and covers the information you need to avoid deposit disputes at the end of a tenancy. You’ll be guided through check-in and check-out reports, routine visits and inspections, as well as providing you with a framework for preparation of a inventory document and advice on how to use it at your final inspection.

The webinars take place throughout the year so keep an eye on forthcoming dates here. The next webinar is Creating Inventories on June 1, 2022, 2.00 pm – 3.15 pm.

Springtime – a great time for mid-tenancy inspections

With winter gone and spring now in full bloom, there’s no better time to inspect your property to check for damage or wear caused by seasonal weather conditions and assess if any repairs are required.

Maintaining your property can help you avoid bigger repair costs further down the line. It’s also a great opportunity for you to check the property against the check-in report and note any differences that may need addressing. Though your tenants may have alerted you to any major issues that arose over the winter months, they may not have noticed less prominent problems that may be of concern to you.

Outside your property

Winter can be hard on the outside of a property. Frosts, high winds, and heavy rain can all take their toll. Here are a few things to look out for, as a quick repair or touch-up now, could save you money in the long run.

• Check the roof for cracked or missing tiles

• Check the condition of any woodwork to make sure there’s no rot

• Keep an eye out for any worn or peeling paint.

It’s also a good time to review the condition of the garden. Responsibility for garden maintenance is subject to what’s laid out in the Tenancy Agreement, but whether you or your tenants are responsible, it’s still worth making sure that boundary fences and walls are still solid. It’s likely the garden will be ready for a bit of TLC as new life springs up, so if your tenants are responsible for maintaining the garden area, the inspection is a good opportunity to remind them of their responsibilities and to flag any concerns you identify.

Inside your property

Take a look around the property for any signs of damp such as black mould. The bathroom and kitchen are the most likely areas for problems to appear and windows, particularly single glazed ones, are prone to moisture build up due to condensation.

Some damp issues may arise as a result of tenant activity such as in the bathroom or kitchen. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for damp in rooms where you wouldn’t usually expect it, as this could be an indicator of a bigger problem that needs addressing.

The inspection is also a good time to check the condition of the rest of the property and any furnishings against the original check-in report and inventory. If you spot an issue now, raise it with your tenants. If it turns out to be something caused by their actions, it will give them the opportunity to rectify it now rather than it becoming a problem at the end of the tenancy.

After the inspection

It’s important that you keep a record of the inspection as this can help you to avoid disputes later on. When you compare against the check-in report, note any changes, sticking to facts about condition rather than conjecture about cause. Gather evidence such as photos, emails, or receipts for any work completed. It’s also important to share your notes with your tenants and give them the opportunity to give feedback on your findings. Keep any email or text discussions with your tenants as these could serve as vital evidence in the event of a dispute.

Mid-term property inspections help you and your tenants keep the tenancy on track and avoid disputes when they eventually move out of the property. Our website has lots of helpful information on how to gather and record evidence that can support your claim in a dispute, or even help you avoid one altogether.

Four pillars of a successful tenancy

Cultivating a good relationship with your tenants from the start is one of the key foundations underpinning a great tenancy. Happy tenants are more likely to stay at the property, reducing vacant periods and the costs associated with finding new tenants, making your investment more profitable.

The best deposit disputes are the ones that don’t happen! A great landlord-tenant relationship can also help you avoid the time-consuming frustration of dispute resolution. Landlords who maintain good communication and rapport with their tenants are much more likely to find their tenants will agree to fair deposit claims at the end of the tenancy, and avoid deposit disputes.

What underpins a successful tenancy?

We’ve applied what we’ve learned in our years of protecting tenancy deposits and resolving disputes to create a blueprint for constructing a solid tenancy. Follow these four pillars to build a great landlord-tenant relationship.

1. Advise

Sharing clear helpful information with your tenants can help avoid issues and minimise the impact of problems that arise.

› Highlight key terms and obligations in their contract so their responsibilities for maintaining the property throughout the tenancy are clear.

› Advise them to get in touch ASAP in the event of any problems and make sure they know who to contact and how.

› Make sure you give them the Prescribed Information, and provide them with a copy of the inventory that you agreed with them at the check-in.

› Give them a copy of our guide for tenants to help pre-empt any questions they may have about their tenancy deposit.

2. Record

Keeping detailed records of the tenancy gives you and your tenants the evidence to help you agree on how the deposit should be repaid at the end of the tenancy.

› Complete the check-in report and inventory in the company of the tenant if possible. Together you can note the condition of all furnishings, fixtures, décor and the property itself. Be consistent and descriptive when recording each room and the condition and age of contents, and be sure to mention if an item is brand new. Take date stamped photos and video.

› Mid-term inspections are an opportunity to check the current state of the property, both against the inventory and for repairs due to natural wear and tear. If you identify any changes, make sure you record them.

› Unexpected event such as damage to the property or a broken item? Keep a record of any communication, including emails, texts and letters. Share a written or email summary of the situation and resolution with the tenant, and keep copies of all related bills, invoices and other documents.

3. Collaborate

Landlords and tenants working together are more likely to have a harmonious relationship, which can ease into a smooth end to the tenancy when the time comes.

› Invite tenants to the check-in and check-out to discuss and agree on any discrepancies.

› Discuss repairs or improvements with your tenants at the mid-tenancy review and ask if there are any issues. They live in the flat day-to-day and can help ensure your property is well maintained, and your investment is protected.

› When living in a property, normal wear and tear is expected. Work together at the end of the tenancy to determine what is reasonable and acceptable to all for any claims.

› If you have a change of one or more tenants during the tenancy, review and update the original check-in report with the tenants. Those staying in the property and tenants transferring in won’t want to be responsible for any claims arising from the outgoing tenants actions.

4. Hear

All the best relationships are based on great communication, just ask any marriage guidance counsellor. But communication isn’t just talking, it requires listening skills too.

› Listen to any concerns your tenant raises, hearing what they have to say, and acknowledging their point of view. Dialogue requires two people talking and listening, and you may hear something that’s to your benefit.

› Answer any concerns in a reasoned and fair way that shows you’ve listened to what they’ve told you, even if you disagree with their position. A reasoned response is more likely to be accepted than casual dismissal.

We hope our four pillars can help you build an open and honest relationship with your tenant, which in turn should mean no surprises and a smooth end to the tenancy.

Download our simple infographic for a handy reminder of the four pillars of a successful tenancy.

Are you open to lets with pets?

The Dogs Trust campaign ‘lets with pets’ states: “Landlords and letting agencies who exclude pet owners from their properties are missing out on a large share of the rental market, as almost half of households in the UK currently own a pet.

Christmas is traditionally a time of year when many people choose to get a pet for themselves or their family, but if one of your tenants asks for permission to keep a pet in the property, do you know how you’ll react?

The benefits of permitting pets

Allowing pets in your property may seem like a risk but permitting tenants to keep a pet can set you apart from other landlords. It may improve your relationship with your current tenants, and even add a premium to the rental value you can achieve.

According to The Dogs Trust, over half of all households owns a pet. This means by excluding pets, you’re missing out on a huge part of the rental market. Allowing pets can increase the demand for your property, and attract responsible tenants looking for a long term let.

• Tenants may stay longer

Once a tenant finds the holy grail of a tenancy that allows a four-legged friend, they are far less likely to leave it.

• Rents can be more profitable

If it means they can have a pet, many tenants will be willing to increase the rent by a small amount to account for additional wear and tear.

• Pet owners can be more responsible

For most people, a pet is like a member of the family and they take their ownership very seriously. To have a pet you need commitment, a regular income and a responsible nature – all things you would list when you think about a desirable tenant.

It’s also good for your tenants’ wellbeing and happiness. Having a pet can help them increase exercise, provide companionship, and reduce anxiety levels.

If you’re concerned a pet in the property might unleash potential problems, we’re here to help you with some practical points to help make your lets with pets a success.

1. Know the law

If your property is leasehold, you'll need to ask other leaseholders if they're ok with pets. Check to see if this is the case. Even if you want to accommodate your tenant’s wishes, you might not be able to. However, if your tenant needs an assistance dog, you must allow them to live in the property.

2. Double check your insurance

Ask your current insurance provider if your policy covers accidental pet damage. Landlord insurance doesn’t usually have this feature as standard. You might need a different type of policy to make sure you're covered.

3. Get your terms down in writing

Make sure your boundaries are set out in writing. Whether you don’t want any animals bred in the property, or you only want the pet you agreed to and no more. Make these clear, concise and share them with your tenant on a document you can both sign and keep.

4. Ask for a pet reference if possible

If your tenant is moving from one house to another, it could be a good idea to ask them to provide a reference from the previous landlord. If the animal was well behaved and didn’t cause damage at a previous property, it’s extremely unlikely they will cause any in yours. If they haven’t lived anywhere with the animal before, you could ask the tenant to provide a reference from the vet, ensuring the animal isn’t aggressive and has all its vaccinations and flea treatments etc.

If you want to check for yourself, you could meet the tenant with their pet before you agree to them moving in as part of the pre-tenancy referencing.

5. Arrange regular inspections

As long as they are pre-agreed and everyone is present, more regular inspections can give both you and your tenant peace of mind that the property is still in good condition. It means that any issues can be flagged before the end of the tenancy. It also reduces the chance of disputes as communication will be more regular.

If you do agree to your tenant having a puppy, the Kennel Club has some great advice. Their campaign #bepuppywise gives great advice, from how to buy a puppy to how to train a pet.

New electrical safety regulations for Scotland's landlords

New electrical safety regulations for Scotland’s private rented sector come into force on 1 December, requiring landlords to conduct electrical checks on their properties. To explain the rationale behind the new law and your responsibilities as a landlord, we’ve invited Phil Buckle, Director General of the charity Electrical Safety First, to give you the lowdown on the changes.

Scotland’s PRS has more than doubled in size in the last ten years. Yet in 2012, almost two thirds of PRS homes failed to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and concern over disrepair and safety in the sector inevitably increased – particularly since poor electrics are often ‘invisible’, lying undiscovered until a serious accident occurs.
 
That’s why last year’s Scottish Housing Act included a requirement for regular electrical checks of both the electrical wiring and fittings etc. in all PRS homes by a registered electrician, and any electrical items provided as part of the tenancy. The regulation will come into effect from 1 December this year for tenancies that begin on or after this date.  Existing tenancies will be covered by the regulation from 1 December 2016, giving landlords time to organise inspections for their properties. 

Electrical checks must be undertaken at least every five years, and landlords will need to provide tenants with a copy of the latest Electrical Inspection Condition Report (EICR). Testing must be undertaken by an electrician who’s registered with one of the government’s approved schemes (to find an electrician in your area, click here). 

All electrical appliances that have been checked should carry a Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) sticker. The Scottish Government’s guidance also recommends – but has not made mandatory – the installation of a Residual Current Device in the fuse box of all rented homes, which will rapidly cut off the current to prevent electric shock.  

Electrical Safety First led a wide coalition of stakeholders – including the Scottish Association of Landlords, Shelter Scotland, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Scotland and the Association of Residential Letting Agents - in the call for regular electrical checks. In addition to providing additional security for tenants, it was also seen as beneficial to landlords, who can face significant financial risks from fires and invalidated insurance claims, if they fail to ensure electrical safety in their rented properties. 

As there has been a long-standing requirement for landlords to provide an annual gas safety certificate, this new duty is seen as beginning to bring electrical safety on par with gas, and is a small price to pay for landlords to ensure the safety of their property and their tenants. Electrical Safety First is now working with Westminster and politicians in Wales and Northern Ireland, to ensure that this essential safety requirement is extended to tenants and landlords throughout the UK.

For more detailed information on the new regulation, visit www.prhpscotland.gov.uk/new-legislation-website-changes 

Electrical Safety First has also produced a Landlord’s Guide to Electrical Safety (Scotland) which you can find here.

Our top ten inventory tips

Do you know the value of a clear and detailed inventory?

In a deposit dispute, the inventory can be the deciding factor. What's more, it can often prevent a dispute from happening in the first place.

Despite this, we know from our conversations with landlords and letting agents that many of you lack confidence when it comes to inventories and struggle to make yours suitably thorough.

So to help you, our expert adjudicators have pulled together their top 10 inventory tips. Take a look at them and see if your inventories match our adjudicators' advice. It could make a real difference.

Working with the Scottish Association of Landlords

This year we’ve had the pleasure of sponsoring and exhibiting at two of the biggest annual events in the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) calendar, April’s The Agency Business conference and the forthcoming National Landlord Day. As the body which represents the interests of all landlords and letting agents throughout Scotland, SAL is a key influence in the industry, and we are very pleased to support these key events.

The Agency Business Conference

Now in its fourth year, the Agency Business conference, held at Hampden Park in Glasgow, was bigger and better than ever.

We were very proud to sponsor this valuable event which brings together letting agents and other industry professionals from across Scotland to share ideas, experiences and good practice, and discuss developments in the industry. Predictably, the expected changes to legislation and regulation as a result of the passing of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 were the main talking point at this year’s event. 

The conference provided a great opportunity for us to catch up with our existing clients to find out their thoughts on industry news and what else we could be doing to support them. In addition, we really enjoyed meeting some agents who we hadn’t worked with prior to the event and talking to them about their needs and how we could help them with their deposit protection responsibilities. 

If you missed the conference, you can always catch up on some of the highlights of the day by watching SAL’s video, including our Head of Tenancy Deposit Protection, Daren, explaining why the Agency Business conference is so valuable to us. 

National Landlord Day

We’re now looking forward to National Landlord Day, the SAL’s major annual conference and exhibition, on 3 November this year. It’s the UK’s largest annual private sector housing conference and we’re delighted to be co-sponsors. Landlords and letting agents will gather at Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth to discuss developments in the sector, seek advice from experts and enjoy a great programme of high profile speakers. 

We’ll be at stand 19 - do come and see us. You can test your dispute resolution skills with our ‘Be the adjudicator’ case study, enter our prize draw, or just have a chat about our service and what’s happening in the sector. We’re looking forward to meeting you there! To find out more, and book your place, please visit the SAL website.  

We look forward to collaborating with SAL on more projects in the future to help landlords and letting agents in Scotland with the best support possible.

Potential changes to requirements for Scottish letting agents

Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014, the Scottish Government has released a consultation regarding a framework for the regulation of letting agents in Scotland.

The consultation includes proposals on a range of topics including:

> a mandatory register of letting agents with an associated ‘fit and proper’ person test;

> a training requirement that must be met to be admitted to the register;

> a statutory code of practice all letting agents must follow;

> a way for tenants and landlords to resolve complaints against letting agents for breaches of the statutory Code of Practice through a new specialist First-tier Tribunal; and

> powers for Scottish Ministers to obtain information and to inspect to monitor compliance and enforce regulatory requirements.

You can read the paper and respond via the Scottish Government website. Responses can be submitted online up to Sunday 15 November 2015. 

LPS Scotland sponsors The Agency Business conference

Recently we sponsored the Agency Business conference, hosted by the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) Council of Letting Agents at Hampden Park on 21 May. A unique event, this is the only time that letting agents in Scotland come together in a conference setting, and was therefore a great opportunity for us to catch up with our clients. We also met a number of agents who we don’t currently work with, so we took the opportunity to share our experience with them and explore how we could help deliver their tenancy deposit protection needs.

Our Head of Tenancy Deposit Protection, Daren, also contributed to the highlights video of the day, explaining why the Agency Business conference is so valuable to us. Watch it here.

You can also read what people had to say on Twitter by searching #Agentconf

Deposit disputed... Who decides?

THERE once was a landlady who – to prove her former tenants had left a wooden floor in a filthy state – took off her shoes and dared to walk across it. How do we know?

We were sent the “before” and “after” pictures of the soles of her feet.

Now that deposits must be protected, what do you do if a tenancy comes to an end but you and the tenant/landlord cannot agree how it should be distributed?

Not everyone applies such imaginative evidence gathering as the landlady who removed her shoes. But she did prove a point:

Where there is a dispute, evidence is king.

Before the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations came into force the only route for warring landlord and tenant was a court of law.

Part of the reason for the new regulations was to create an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service, free of charge for tenants and landlords. The ADR service provides impartial, qualified adjudicators who will examine evidence from both sides and decide how the deposit should be divided.

Being free and completely independent means they’re not biased towards landlords or tenants. The only thing they’re interested in is evidence.

Fair, independent and impartial

If you feel you may need to use the ADR service then you’ll find our Guide to Tenancy Deposits, Disputes and Damages helpful as a useful starting point.

Meanwhile, here are the five key things to remember if you do use the service:

• Both sides will have their say.

• The deposit belongs to the tenant. The landlord must prove a legitimate claim on the money.

• The ADR adjudicator is only interested in evidence. If a claim is made without evidence it is likely the claim will fail.

• The importance of a properly completed inventory (preferably independent) cannot be underestimated.

• In using the service, both sides agree to be bound by the decision.

No one wants disagreements over deposits. However, it’s inevitable that they will happen and when they do occur it’s very often because landlords and tenants haven’t spoken for a while; so it might be a good idea to pick up the phone or start tapping out an email before it gets to that point.

But it’s good to know – if dispute is unavoidable – that a free, legal alternative to court proceedings is there for you.

If you have any questions on our ADR service our FAQ page might have the answers for you.

We’ll also be rolling out a series of ADR workshops across Scotland, so please keep an eye on the website for more details.

By the way, if you want to see the foot look below!

Anthony’s tour de Scotland part 2

In part 2 of Anthony’s blog, he runs through some of the common questions asked during our free drop in sessions: For anyone that wasn’t able to visit us during one of our free drop in sessions, we thought it would be useful to list the answers to some of the most common questions we are asked. If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or you just want to find out more about us or the effect of the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (the legislation), you can always check out our FAQ pages, or email me.

Q. Your service is free - what’s the catch?

A. The legislation specifies that all schemes must operate a free to use service for landlords, agents and tenants: there isn’t a catch!  Interest earned on the protected deposits pays for the running costs of the scheme.

Q. I have a portfolio of properties for which I receive the interest from the deposit funds.  Will you pay me interest as otherwise this system is a cost to me?

A. The legislation ordered deposit protection schemes to be custodial only, which means we hold your tenant’s deposit for you. We are unable to pay the interest to you at this time.

Q. Why aren’t you affiliated with any landlord or tenant associations?

A.  We welcome members who are affiliated to a landlord or tenant association, but we pride ourselves on offering a completely independent and impartial service open to all.

Q. Will you come and visit my property should there be a dispute between myself and my tenant?

A.  This is not possible. The landlord and tenant must supply comprehensive relevant evidence to back up their claim or defence in the event of a dispute.  The adjudicators will never visit a property and it is unlikely that they will contact you to question your evidence submission.   We welcome all evidence submitted to us, and the landlady who took a photo of her bare feet to demonstrate how the hard floor in her apartment had not been cleaned was certainly innovative....

Q. I need the deposits for cash flow.  I just had to pay for a new boiler in the property and now can’t afford to lodge the deposit.

A. The deposit was never yours to use; the money belongs to the tenant until the end of the tenancy (when the landlord or letting agent may make a claim for some or all of it, depending on the terms of the lease), and provided that, in the above case, they can prove that the boiler had to be replaced because of the tenant’s actions. As such you will still need to protect the deposit to comply with the new legislation; failure to do so may result in you paying compensation of up to three times the deposit amount to your tenant.

Q. How is the system policed? 

A. The legislation, together with the terms and conditions of the LPS Scotland, provide ways for information to be provided between landlord and tenant, and for any disputes to be resolved.  For example, tenants may apply to the courts for up to three times their deposit amount should their agent or landlord fail to lodge their deposit on time and supply them with the required information (Regulation 42). Such an application may be made up to three months after the tenancy has ended.

Q. You have a sample template on your website for me to give to my tenant covering the required information they need to know.  Should I be providing my tenant with anything else to comply with the legislation?  

A. The required information template (Regulation 42) contains everything the tenant needs to be aware of according to the legislation. When funds are lodged against your property’s deposit we also supply you and your tenant with confirmation that the deposit is protected.

Q. If my tenant doesn’t pay the last month’s rent, how do I claim from the deposit?

A. At the end of the tenancy you can apply to your deposit protection scheme to retain some or all of the deposit, as long as the lease states that you can recover non-payment of the rent from the deposit. You can find out further information about this process on our website.

Q. What experience do you have in understanding the issues that landlords and letting agents in Scotland face?

A. I have been in the residential property industry for 25 years in Scotland.  I have faced the problems that you face and know your concerns.  Our system has been set up to help you, not only with administration but also to help alleviate your tenants’ concerns.

Anthony operates from The LPS Scotland’s Edinburgh office. 

Do you know your deadline for protecting your tenant’s deposit?

On the 2^nd October 2012, the second phase of timings for complying with The Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations kicks in. This means that any deposits received on or after the 2^nd October 2012 need to be protected in a government approved scheme within 30 working days of the start of the tenancy.

Any deposits received before the 2^nd October (but on or after the 7^th March 2011) need to be protected in that way by the 13^th November 2012.

If you have a deposit which you received from a tenant before the 7^th March 2011 you need to protect it within 30 days of the tenancy renewal date (if this is after 12^th November 2012), or if this doesn’t apply, by the 14^th May 2013.

We know this can sound quite confusing, so if you’re not sure when you need to protect your tenant’s deposit, visit our website where we have a Timescales for Compliance Calculator which will help to work out the date for you! All you need is the date you received (or will receive) the deposit and a tenancy renewal date if you have one.

If you would like to find out more about tenancy deposit protection in Scotland and how it affects you, we have lots of information for landlords and letting agents on our website, or you can check out our FAQ pages.

Upcoming Events

Aberdeen Seminar and Drinks Reception, 18th September 2012 Following previous events in Edinburgh and Glasgow, we’re holding a seminar and drinks reception in Aberdeen on the 18th September 2012.

During the seminar you’ll be able to find out more about deposit protection legislation in Scotland and how it affects you. We'll also be discussing timelines for deposit protection and how to prepare if dispute resolution is needed.

The drinks reception will provide a great opportunity for you to meet some of The LPS Scotland team and network with your colleagues in the letting industry. If you’d like to attend please click on the link to RSVP below.

Date: Tuesday 18th September

Seminar: 15:00 - 17:00

Drinks Reception: 17.00-19.30 (drinks and canapés will be provided)

Location: Jurys Inn Aberdeen Hotel, Union Square, Guild Street, Aberdeen, AB11 5RG

Click here to RSVP

Drop-in Sessions

In September and October The LPS Scotland are holding information drop-in sessions across Scotland, where landlords and letting agents can pop in to meet some of our team, ask questions and have a demonstration of our system.

We’ll be running morning (10am – 1pm) and afternoon (3pm – 6pm) sessions at 25 locations across the country. Simply pop along when it's convenient for you – there’s no need to book.

To find out more and see the locations we’re visiting, please visit www.lettingprotectionscotland.com/events.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Invitation to our launch celebration

In celebration of our launch this month, we are holding two drinks receptions on the 18^th and 19^th of July and I would be delighted for you to join us! The first event on the 18^th July will be held at The George Hotel in Edinburgh and the event on the 19^th will be at The Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow. Drinks and canapés will be provided.

You’ll be able to meet myself, Anthony and the rest of the team behind The LPS Scotland, as well as network with your colleagues in the letting industry. There’ll be information on tenancy deposit protection in Scotland and you can find out more about our ‘Win a Day at the Races’ promotion.

If you’d like to come along to one of these launch events, please let us know in advance by clicking on the relevant link below:

Wednesday 18th July Time: 17.00-19.30 Location: The George Hotel, Edinburgh Click here to RSVP

Thursday 19th July Time: 17.00-19.30 Location: The Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow Click here to RSVP

I look forward to seeing you there

Kevin

The LPS Scotland is now live!

Today is launch day! After being the first deposit protection scheme to be approved by the Scottish Government back in April, we are delighted to be launching today. If you are a landlord or letting agent in Scotland, it is now compulsory for you to protect your tenant’s deposits with an approved third-party scheme (within the relevant timelines). Anyone that doesn’t could face legal action with fines of up to three times the amount of the deposit paid by the tenant, so please make sure you understand what you need to do to comply with the legislation.

As a landlord or letting agent, you can follow these quick and simple steps to register your deposit:

• register online at www.lettingprotectionscotland.com;
• use our Timeline for Compliance calculator on the homepage, to make sure deposits are protected in line with Government timescales;
• submit deposits via The LPS Scotland website, or by post.

Don’t forget, you will be able to view and manage all deposits registered with The LPS Scotland online throughout the duration of the tenancy.

We know you’re bound to have loads of questions, so we’ve put a lot of information on our website www.lettingprotectionscotland.com, or you can call us on 0844 472 6666 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5.30pm, excluding weekends and English bank holidays). We have over ten years’ custodial deposit protection experience, so please don’t hesitate to contact us.

LPS Scotland launches compliance calculator to help landlords

Today we have launched our new online Timescales for Compliance calculator, which will help landlords and letting agents calculate the deadlines to secure tenant deposits. The date you need to have a deposit secured by, depends on the date the deposit is received. By entering this date into the online calculator, along with the deposit renewal date (if applicable), you will be able to calculate the date you need to protect it by, to comply with the Scottish Government deadlines.

We want to make it simple for landlords to navigate this new legislation, which is why we’ve launched this unique online tool to make the process of protecting deposits easier. You will be able to work out individual compliance dates in a matter of seconds.

We would urge landlords not to fall foul of the heavy penalties by failing to comply. Hopefully this calculator, along with other resources on our website will be helpful for landlords, letting agents and tenants to meet the deadlines set out by Scottish Government.

You can find our calculator on our homepage at www.lettingprotectionscotland.com

Scottish Government approves The LPS Scotland as the first ever deposit protection scheme

I am delighted to announce that tenants, landlords and letting agents in Scotland are a step closer to guaranteed deposit protection, with the Scottish Government confirming it has approved its first deposit protection scheme, The Letting Protection Service Scotland (The LPS Scotland). The scheme has been given the go ahead to launch on July 2^nd.

Having already established The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) in England and Wales, we already have five years’ experience of running a similar custodial scheme and know how to support landlords and letting agents through the transition of new legislation. The LPS Scotland will use this knowledge to provide fast, free and secure deposit protection to support Scottish landlords and letting agents in complying with regulations.

Learn more

A reminder that you can access helpful information about our service via a page on The LPS Scotland website.  Here you can view and download documents and familiarise yourself with our processes. You may find the following information particularly helpful:

Experience Matters – an overview of The LPS Scotland - Does exactly what it says on the tin. Provides an overview of The LPS Scotland and each process involved from registering to alternative dispute resolution.

Best practice in deposit protection for landlords - List of the key things you’ll need to remember with regards to tenancy deposit protection, including the importance of repayment IDs and tenants’ contact details.

Registering with The LPS Scotland - Process flow diagram that explains how to register with us.

Submitting a deposit - Process flow diagram that explains how to submit deposits once registered with The LPS Scotland

Events

We also regularly attend and organise events to ensure landlords and letting agents are kept up to date with the legislation, what it will mean for you and how The LPS Scotland will work.

We will be confirming a number of new events over the next few months, full details of those events can be found here.  Or, if you’d like us to send you more information on The LPS Scotland following approval from Scottish Government, send us an email or visit our website.

We’ll keep you up to date on developments here on the blog and you can also follow us on Twitter – @LPS_Scotland

Renters revolt against rogue landlords

Our recent survey of landlords and tenants in the UK shows that over 70% of tenants will challenge their landlord if their deposit is not protected and a massive 84% feel safer knowing their deposit is held independently as a result of tenancy deposit protection legislation. The legislation proved popular with landlords and agents as well, with over a third reporting that the introduction of tenancy deposit protection in England and Wales in 2007 has had a positive impact on the lettings industry.

This year, it will become compulsory for landlords and letting agents in Scotland to protect tenants’ deposits with an approved third-party scheme and the results of our survey demonstrate how the introduction of legislation will benefit both landlords and tenants. It also highlights that communication between tenants and landlords is key to the success of the scheme – with over 70% of tenants learning about the legislation from their own landlord.

As the operator of the only UK-based custodial deposit protection scheme our experience has taught us that by placing the deposit with a third party, tenants and landlords will be secure in the knowledge that the deposit is protected throughout the duration of the tenancy.

The new Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 became law in March 2011, and proposals to protect tenancy deposits are currently awaiting Government approval – The LPS Scotland is one of the proposed providers. Further details of the deposit protection schemes will be announced in the near future, following which every landlord that receives a deposit must comply with the regulations.

The introduction of this legislation is a positive step forward in Scotland. It’s now important that those in the private rented sector don’t fall foul of this legislation and take appropriate steps to ensure that they are prepared for its introduction.

You can find out more about protecting deposits at www.lettingprotectionscotland.com.

More dates added to our Scottish tenancy deposit protection tour!

We’re hosting and attending so many events over the next couple of months we’ve had to create a new page on our website to list them all! Our Introduction to Tenancy Deposit Protection events provide an introduction to the legislation, what it will mean for landlords, letting agents and tenants, discuss the adjudication process and how The LPS Scotland scheme will operate.

This month we’re running a couple of webinars – Kevin Firth will deliver the same presentation but online, giving you the chance to learn about tenancy deposit protection without even leaving your desk.

To register for a webinar click your preferred date below:

Thursday 23rd February - 10:00am-12:00pm

Tuesday 28th February - 2:00pm-4:00pm

We’ll also be heading to Dundee for a presentation on 6 March where you’ll be given our literature packs and freebies. The event details are:

Time: 3:00pm-5:30pm  

Address: Discovery Point, Discovery Quay, Dundee, DD1 4XA  

For more information or to register: Please click here

Compulsory deposit protection is creeping ever closer and it’s important that landlords and letting agents are up to speed with their responsibilities – these events will tell you what you can do now to be ready once schemes launch and how you can manage the process going forward.

If you’d like more information visit our website www.lettingprotectionscotland.com or email us.