As you may have heard in the news, there are some further changes coming to the Scottish Private Rented Sector. The Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 creates a new Private Residential Tenancy for all future lets in the private rented sector. From 1st December 2017 onwards all new tenancies will be a ‘Private Residential Tenancy Agreement’. The new tenancy will replace Short Assured and Assured Tenancies.
The new tenancy will be open-ended (no fixed term) and will last until a tenant wishes to leave the property by serving their months notice. A landlord is required to use one (or more) of 18 grounds for eviction. Improvements for landlords include:
- No more confusing pre-tenancy notices, such as the AT5;
- Where a tenant is in rent arrears, a landlord can refer a case for repossession more quickly;
- A Scottish Government recommended ‘model tenancy agreement’, which will include standardised tenancy terms;
- One simple notice when regaining possession of a property called a ‘notice to leave’ – this will replace the current ‘notice to quit’ and ‘notice of proceedings’;
- Eighteen modernised grounds for repossession, which include new grounds where the property has been abandoned or the landlord intends to sell.
The Scottish Government provides information about the new private residential tenancy, including:
- Overview;
- Private residential tenancies;
- Rent and other charges;
- Ending the tenancy: notice to leave;
- Existing tenancies;
- Grounds for eviction;
If you require any further information on this subject please call us on 0141 248 8726 or email [email protected].
