Unfair to Scottish landlords

At present Scottish Landlords see as unfair the way rules  concerning  the council tax  works, Nicola sturgeon announced in November last year a commission to examine a  fairer way of funding local government services.

The Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) wants to see a change in rules so that  empty furnished properties will be entitled to the same six-month full council tax exemption that unfurnished properties qualify for, as long as they are being repaired, upgraded or marketed for new tenants, the (SAL) will be giving evidence to the Scottish Governments commission regarding local tax reform

It it is asking for the system to be changed so that landlords cannot be pursued for outstanding money when tenants in a house in multiple occupation have agreed to take over liability for the council tax, it also wants a two-year cut-off after which local authorities cannot pursue property owners for council tax when a tenant has been responsible for paying.

Changes to the current system should encourage Landlords to invest more easily in their properties and subsequently provide a better service for their tenants.

 

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Property auctions generate complaints at four times the rate of the wider housing market

Property auctions account for just 2% of home sales but generate more than four times their share of complaints, according to a new insight report by the Property Ombudsman. The report highlights that while auctions remain a relatively small part of the wider residential property market, they are generating a disproportionately high level of consumer…
Read More
Breaking News

UK rents see upward trend in early 2026

Lomond’s report finds UK average rents rise to £1,384pcm in the first three months of 2026, compared to 2025. Average rent in London reaches £2,339pcm, 69% higher than the UK average. Kent records the network’s highest rental uptick of +9%, in early 2026. Tenant demand strengthens with a +28% increase in viewings activity in 2026.   Lomond observed the average rent across its network of lettings…
Read More
Breaking News

Landlord repossessions rose 6% ahead of Renters’ Rights Act

Landlord possession claims rose by almost 6% in the first quarter of 2026 as property owners moved to regain control of homes before the Renters’ Rights Act came into force on 1 May, according to analysis by LegalforLandlords. LegalforLandlords analysed the latest repossession data* and found that during Q1 2026, a total of 22,733 possession…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

Tenant confidence in RRA compliance sits at just 32%

Barely a third of managed tenants believe their management company is compliant following RRA changes   The latest insight from property management specialist, Rushbrook & Rathbone, reveals that whilst managing agents had until 31st May to distribute new documentation following the latest RRA implementations, almost 60% of tenants living in managed properties have seen no changes…
Read More
Breaking News

Six issues that make your property unmortgageable

The latest market insight from House Buyer Bureau has revealed six common issues that could see a homeowner’s property deemed unmortgageable by lenders, drastically reducing the pool of potential buyers and making it far harder to sell on the open market. House Buyer Bureau analysed some of the most common reasons properties fail lender criteria, alongside the…
Read More
Breaking News

Homebuyers could make over £26,000 before completion

Buying off-plan: London homebuyers could make over £26,000 before completion The latest research from Foxtons has found that buying a home off-plan can deliver a significant financial uplift, with London buyers potentially making more than £26,000 in added value before they’ve even picked up the keys to their new home. Foxtons analysed average monthly new-build…
Read More