Following consultation in summer 2017, the Scottish Government is planning on introducing minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector. Energy efficiency is calculated based on the size, layout, insulation and ventilation of a dwelling and it is rated on a scale from A to G, with A being the most efficient. Energy Efficiency …
Read more >Rent a room scheme allows individuals to earn up to £7,500 a year tax free from renting out a spare room in their main or only residence. The relief was first introduced in 1992 with the intention of incentivising people to take in lodgers rather than rent out whole properties. Shared occupancy test Following on …
Read more >Everyone knows, courtesy of Simon and Garfunkel, there are 50 ways to leave your lover, but did you know your landlord has 18 ways to get you to leave? Many of them are obvious (you broke the law), others are perhaps irritating (the landlord’s granny needs a gaff), while a few are plain obscure (a …
Read more >Labour recently announced 50 pledges surrounding animal welfare, which include tenants being able to keep their pets in rental homes regardless of the landlord’s opinion. Would Scotland follow suit? Labour promised tenants that it would do more to ensure that they would not have to give up their pets when they move rental homes. Labour …
Read more >Until now, councils could only impose fines on landlords renting homes which breach legal levels of health and safety. These fines would usually be a fraction of the rogue landlords’ potential gains. However, slum landlords could now be forced to give up all earnings from their criminal activity. Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 Brent Council …
Read more >Does waking up in the morning to a birdsong sound idyllic to you? Yes, provided the wakeup call is not at 4 in the morning, every morning and caused by noisy pigeons… A couple renting a property in North West London was reported to be persistently disturbed by pigeons cooing that kept them awake daily …
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