Failure to comply with the law can have serious consequences, so it’s definitely worth taking the time to learn about them.
Rental property compliance is especially important in Glasgow. This is because Glasgow has some of the most stringent laws in the country.
Landlords who fail to comply with these laws can be fined up to £50,000.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the importance of rental property compliance and explain why it’s so important to abide by the law. Stay safe and compliant landlords!
The Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016
The Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 was introduced in order to improve the security of tenure for tenants and make renting fairer.
The act made a number of changes to the law, including introducing new tenancy types, setting out the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, and regulating fees that can be charged by landlords.
It covers a wide range of topics, from tenancy agreements and deposits to repairs and rent increases.
The act applies to all private rented tenancies that were entered into on or after the 31st of December 2017.
This means that if you’re a landlord with an existing tenancy, you must comply with the new rules.
Tenancy Agreements
One of the most important changes introduced by the act is the requirement for landlords to provide their tenants with a written tenancy agreement.
This tenancy agreement must set out the rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and the tenant. It’s important to note that if you don’t provide your tenants with a written tenancy agreement, they may be able to claim compensation from you.
Rental increases
The act also introduced a number of other changes, such as giving tenants the right to have their rent increased only once every 12 months, banning landlords from evicting tenants without a valid reason, and introducing a new system for dealing with deposits.
Safety requirements
There are many different aspects of rental property compliance that landlords must be aware of. These include fire safety, gas safety, electrical safety, energy efficiency and much more.
Landlords must make sure that their properties are safe for their tenants to live in.
In order to comply with the law, landlords must make sure that their properties are up to scratch.
This means ensuring that there are working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.
Landlords must also have their properties checked for gas safety every 12 months and electrical safety every five years.
What’s next?
As you can see, there are many changes that landlords must be aware of when it comes to renting out their properties.
Failure to comply with the law can have serious consequences, so it’s definitely worth taking the time to learn about the new rules.
Alternatively, a reputable Property Management company such as Yates Hellier can be appointed to take care of all the legalities for you.
This will give you peace of mind that your property is being managed in a compliant manner.
If you have any questions about rental property compliance, tenancy agreements, or if you need help making sure that your property is compliant, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
We’re always happy to help!
Yates Hellier are Glasgow’s leading property management and letting agents.
We have a wealth of experience in managing properties in compliance with the law.
Contact us today for more information about our services.
