Benefits
About
News
Events
Resources
Forum
Your account

Category: Member Benefits

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

Marc Crothall, CEO of Scottish Tourism Alliance, provided evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work Committee today as part of the committee’s pre-Budget scrutiny.

In his evidence, he highlighted the following relevant points:

  • The ASSC’s proposals to pause short-term let licensing as part of the Scottish Government’s review into regulations which could be reviewed in light of the cost crisis (emphasised it was merely a pause, not taking regs off the table).
  • On STL licensing more broadly, he referred to concerns about the ability of local councils to deliver on the policy (highlighted only 19 councils had established their scheme by the 1st October deadline), as well as the large disparity in fees charged to operators between local authorities and cited Orkney and Edinburgh as two ends of the scale.
  • Highlighted evidence from the ASSC of businesses choosing to not trade.
  • Finally, he also mentioned the concerns from industry around the introduction of a tourist levy following the announcement in the Programme for Government.

The recorded coverage can be accessed here: https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/economy-and-fair-work-committee-part-ii-october-5-2022

Scottish Association of Landlords

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

Considering long term lets? SAL can save you time and money
Letting in the private rented sector differs significantly to operating short term lets. The Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) specialises only in that sector and has over 20 years’ experience of supporting Scottish landlords and letting agents to provide high quality privately rented housing.

Here are a few points from SAL chief executive John Blackwood (pictured) to consider if you’re thinking of letting a property longer term.

  • Mandatory landlord registration
  • Safety certification differs
  • Private Residential Tenancy applies – no fixed term lets now
  • Recent changes to the process for giving notice to leave
  • Deposits legislation differs
  • The First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber) deals with disputes
  • Mandatory letting agent registration for anyone who lets a property that isn’t owned by them. This usually even applies to letting of property owned by family members other than spouses/partners

For individual information and advice, we strongly recommend you join SAL. SAL membership is available until the end of September 2022 on a special deal for ASSC members. Please call SAL on 0131 564 0100 or email them to benefit from three months free membership when joining for a year (15 months for the price of 12, one annual fee). You can also join SAL online.  If you do that, please reply to your welcome email from SAL, with your ASSC membership number. The extra three months will be applied on the next working day and you’ll be emailed again.

SAL membership benefits:

  • website members resources area: downloadable factsheets and all documentation required for letting
  • unlimited access to their unique Scottish letting advice helpline – invaluable with any problems you may require specialist advice on
  • discounted core standards training sessions from Landlord Accreditation Scotland
  • campaigning on behalf of members
  • discounts on other useful seminars
  • member deals on goods and services
  • 10% off at B&Q with SAL TradePoint card
  • subscription to Landlord Focus magazine
  • regular email updates directly to your inbox
  • local meetings all over Scotland via our 14 branches – currently held via Zoom
  • add your voice to SAL’s lobbying of Holyrood and Westminster politicians about landlord and agent interests

SAL is run by landlords and letting agents for the benefit of members letting property in the private rented sector. SAL policy and parliamentary affairs specialists can also assist with any issues you may have with local authorities and contact MSPs on your behalf, if required.  The more landlords and agents that join SAL, the louder their voice, so SAL hopes to welcome you on board.

N.B. please bear in mind the SAL subscription fee is an allowable expense on your tax return to set against letting income.

If SAL can be of assistance or if you would like any more information about the various membership benefits, please do let them know.  The SAL team looks forward to being of service to you.

Please have a look at the reviews left by SAL members.

  • To access SAL reviews on Google please click here
  • To access SAL reviews on Trustpilot please click here
  • To access SAL reviews on Facebook please click here