Category: Being a Tenant

Fostering a Sense of Community in Tenements

Residing in a tenement or shared housing block presents distinct challenges and opportunities, particularly in forming a close knit community. Within these blocks, where collaboration and communication are crucial for repairing, maintaining and improving shared spaces, fostering a community spirit is not merely beneficial but essential. This article delves into various methods to cultivate a …

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Out of Sight, Out of Mind… Out of Pocket?

When it comes to cleaning a property, lots of things can stand out for immediate attention. Dust on a mantlepiece, crumbs on a carpet, cooking stains on a hob, hairspray residue on a mirror… These will be obvious tasks to attend to before checking out at the end of a tenancy, but a common and …

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The Great Furniture Debate: Should You Rent Fully Equipped or Bring Your Own?

When starting a new lease, one of the biggest decisions is whether to take a property already equipped with furnishings or opt for an empty space to gradually fill with your own belongings. Both options have their merits when flexibility, costs and personal style are considered, and there is demand for both furnished and unfurnished …

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Only or Principal Home of a Tenant

What is or what is not the only or principal home of a tenant is a concept that has been with those operating in the private rented sector for many years. It is a concept that was carried forward into the Private Housing (Tenancies)(Scotland) Act 2016 (the 2016 Act). It also forms the basis of …

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When Should a Landlord Replace a Boiler?

Scottish landlord heating obligations Under the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, landlords in Scotland have certain obligations regarding heating in rented properties. Similar to the UK laws, having a functioning heating system, including a boiler, is a fundamental requirement for compliance. According to the Act, landlords are required to ensure that the heating system …

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Tenants in Scotland: How to Save Energy at Home during Summer

Whether you’re feeling the pinch of the current cost of living crisis or want to do more to fight the climate emergency, it’s time to start thinking about how to save energy at home during the summer. According to the Energy Saving Trust, more than half of the energy bill for a typical Scottish household …

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