From the 1st December 2017, Islands & Highlands Lettings use Private Residential Tenancy agreements (PRT’s) for letting residential properties in line with current legislation. There is no a minimum duration, other than the notice period of 28 days, and the PRT’s will continue indefinitely. To end the PRT the tenant can give the landlord notice to leave in writing. However the landlord can no longer give the tenant notice to leave without basing it upon one of 18 grounds that are set out within schedule 3 of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016. This has been designed to give tenants more security of tenure.
Once you have decided you would like to rent a property on a Private Residential Tenancy, we require the following items to secure the rental: (Please contact us to receive the forms.)
- Completed tenancy application form (for each person over the age of 18 years that will be residing at the property.)
- Proof of identity (photographic ID and proof of address for each person over the age of 18 years that will be residing at the property.)
Once received, the property will no longer be advertised for let. Reference and credit checks will be made using the information given and an entry date agreed by all parties.
Please note: securing a tenancy is subject to reference and credit checks. As we also act on behalf of the landlord, we reserve the right to decline an application by an interested party.
Islands & Highlands Lettings will prepare an Inventory and Schedule of Condition which will list the condition of the property and everything that is contained within the property.
Prior to the agreed entry date, a suitable date to sign all documents and to pay the tenancy deposit (usually 1.5 x the monthly rental) will be arranged. You will receive and sign a copy of the Private Residential Tenancy agreement and a copy of the Easy Read Notes for the Scottish Government Model Private Residential Tenancy Agreement along with any other relevant health and safety documentation for the property. A copy of the Inventory and Schedule of Condition will be given to each tenant.
Please read through all the documentation carefully at the start of the tenancy as these documents form part of a legally binding contract. Go through the Inventory and Schedule of Condition and if there is anything you would like amended, please inform Islands & Highlands Lettings in writing within 7 days of the start date of the tenancy.
The tenancy deposit will be held in a government deposit scheme. Currently we use MyDepositsScotland. Once lodged, the tenant and landlord / letting agent will sign the Deposit Protection Certificate, provide key information called Regulation 42f explaining deposit protection and information from MyDepositsScotland on the release process, Regulation 41. This means that the tenancy deposit will held independently for the duration of the tenancy.
It is recommended that tenants take out contents insurance to cover any damage or theft to your possessions. You can also cover the landlord’s possessions as well for accidental damage during the tenancy. The landlord is responsible for insuring the building and their possessions.
Other relevant sections to read include: