Tag Archives: Edinburgh law firm
When is a Hedge a High Hedge? A legal update
Sunlight in Scotland is a rare enough thing and we cherish each moment we can get. If you have a neighbour who does not or cannot keep a boundary hedge under control and at a manageable height, you may be losing out on this precious resource. Disputes over the height of boundary hedges (whether the
Tenancy Deposit Scheme Scotland – Another View from Down South
A few months ago, the LetLaw team looked at the English case of Surpere v Nice where a landlord had failed to lodge the deposit with a tenancy deposit scheme. For a refresher, see here (Scottish Proposals vs English Experience). The English courts have again looked at the tenancy deposit legislation and the impact on
Welfare Reform Bill – A Bedroom Tax …..
The UK Government’s Welfare Reform plans will reduce the amount of housing benefit support that can be given to tenants in the social rented sector by introducing new size criteria for working-age housing benefit claimants, who have extra bedrooms. People who are judged to be ‘under occupying’ their home by one bedroom will have their
Recording land ownership in Scotland – essential criteria
The Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979 introduced Scotland to a map-based Register as a means of recording land ownership in Scotland. The map-based system is backed by a state guarantee and provides information and identification of registered subjects with certainty. Legislation identifies what information must be supplied at the time of registration and Registers of
Short Assured Tenancy Agreement Scotland – Know the basics
Short Assured Tenancies (SAT) are the most commonly used type of tenancy in the private rented sector in Scotland. The following outlines the basics for both landlords and tenants in Scotland. What is a Short Assured Tenancy? A special type of ‘Assured Tenancy’ which lasts for a minimum period of 6 months. Why use a
Asbestos: a continuing concern for commercial organisations or a thing of the past?
Well, the answer is: a bit of both really. Although asbestos has been banned throughout the UK since the 1980s and all related materials ceased to be used prior to the end of the last century – regulations governing asbestos within commercial premises have recently been introduced. It cannot be argued that these regulations –
Tenancy Deposit Scheme Scotland – are you ready?
All three of the tenancy deposit schemes in Scotland approved by the Scottish Government are now operational! The many different aspects of the Scottish TDS have been covered on our blog before however with the official operational date of 2 July 2012 having passed, it would be a good time to remind landlords of the
Right to Buy – Do you know what the ‘Cost floor’ is?
When selling a Right to Buy property, you need to check if the cost floor is relevant. The cost floor is the accumulative total spent for a property during the last ten financial years (from date the application to buy was received). This spend includes: renovation costs (eg bathrooms, kitchens); improvements (eg cladding works); and
Landlord Requirement to provide Tenant Information Packs
Are you aware that the Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Act 2011 is proposing that all Landlords will in the future have to provide tenant information packs? The aim of this Act is to support responsible landlords and address more effectively the problems caused by landlords who act unlawfully, by strengthening the regulation of the private
Private Rented Housing Scotland Act 2011: Landlord Legal Advice
The Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Act 2011 will introduce changes which will affect all landlords in the private rented sector, with its various parts coming into force in stages. The following provisions will amend the existing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing regime and are due to come into force on 31 January 2012: A
