Benefits
About
News
Events
Resources
Forum
Your account

Category: Resources

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

The Green Path Podcast

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

A new  podcast launches today for the self-catering short-term rental industry: how to make your business more eco-friendly and at the same time more successful.

The ASSC was part of an international conversation that has led to this Green Path Podcast. Get involved in making a difference.

Find out what’s in it for you. Find out what’s in it for the planet.

Short weekly episodes are designed to give you a quick tip that you can action to give your business a boost and also do the right thing for the planet.

It’s  a win, win win.

Watch the launch episode now.

Disability/Inclusion Training for the Tourism Sector

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

Skills Development Scotland is offering a free training programme for tourism staff around disability and inclusion.

The workshop will help increase confidence and knowledge to support the self-employed, and attract, recruit and retain well qualified, motivated staff in challenging times, with practical advice and guidance to help make businesses more accessible and inclusive for customers and employees alike.

Why is this training important?

There has never been a more important time for the industry to invest in its most valuable asset, its people. With Covid 19 and Brexit having a real impact on the sector’s ability to attract and retain people.

To help Scotland’s Travel and Tourism Industry recover, Inclusion Scotland are proud to provide their knowledge and experience to this valuable sector. For example, they will cover language, what to do if you get it wrong and how to approach disability in a way which is respectful and with practical guidance on how to be the change you want to see in society.

Who is eligible for the training

This training is open to all employees, employers and self-employed in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality across Scotland working towards a more inclusive and accessible workplace and society.

What you get from the training

All participants will have…

  • opportunity to apply reflective practice on their own and that of their organisations culture and application in relation to their willing and effectiveness in including disabled people.
  • increased confidence in their ability to provide an inclusive working environment.
  • the tools to attract a wider and more diverse range of candidates to their organisation.
  • increased confidence in their ability to approach and provide the right support for their employees.
  • increased knowledge of services and funding to support in work reasonable adjustments.
  • resources to help make their company policies and recruitment process more inclusive for all.
  • a toolkit to take away and support the implementation and application of the learning.
  • Increased knowledge and appreciation of accessible tourism and purple pound to your organisation.

Find out more.