Airbnb-style short-term lets in Scotland face new licensing schemes and tax regulation
Airbnb-style short-term lets could be subject to new licensing schemes and tax regulations in Scotland by 2021.
The Scottish government announced plans to hand local authorities the power to bring in licensing schemes as part of measures introduced to compact concerns about the impact of short lets in cities such as Edinburgh. ...
Third of tenants under-25 think landlords should change their light bulbs
Over a third tenants under-25s sometimes referred to as generation Z believe landlords are responsible for changing a light bulb, according to a new study.
The research by broadband and utilities provider Glide found 34% of the 1,000 people surveyed who were currently renting a property, or have previously, did not know that changing a light bulb is usually the tenant¹s responsibility, unless specified otherwise in the terms of each tenancy agreement....
Battery operated smoke alarms failed in over a third of fires
Adequate smoke detectors – whether mains powered alarms or battery operated - are a legal requirement in a rental property.
But new research has found battery-powered smoke alarms have failed in more than a third of residential property fires in England in the last year. ...
Two-thirds of renters have no contents insurance
New research has found that the vast majority of tenants do not have contents insurance.
According to a study by the Halifax, two-thirds of tenants have not taken out insurance for their belongings, with many assuming their landlord’s insurance will cover any damage to their possessions....
Why new builds and off-plan are a good option for landlords
New builds offer many benefits to landlords, including lower running costs, fewer repairs and a 10-year warranty, so it’s no surprise they are becoming an increasingly popular buy-to-let investment option. Such is the growing demand, property portal Zoopla have recently added a ‘new build’ search functionality to their website to make hunting out these prized properties even easier. ...