Dear all,

You may be wondering why I have put pictures of American streets in this week’s landlord email, however it is St Vincent Street, Glasgow near our office which has been transformed this week for the filming of the as of yet unnamed fifth Indiana Jones, starring Harrison Ford. A host of A-listers have been spotted in Glasgow on the set in recent days, including Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge. 

The area has been done up to look like a 1960s ticker tape parade to welcome home the Apollo 11 astronauts, complete with American flags and all the usual regalia.   The streets in Glasgow are perpendicular to each other, similar to the streets in New York, and other American states, which is why it is used as an alternative location. 

It is the street which has brought 1960s New York City to life in Glasgow, and my friend from school has kindly allowed me to use the pictures which he took while in the city.  As our office is still closed and we are working remotely I have not been into the city to see it for myself. 

In case there are any fans of the Indiana Jones franchise, the pictures at the bottom of the email maybe spoilers, or not, I don’t know!  Unlike “Star Wars” I have seen the films, and my favourite is the third with Sean Connery.

£10 million grant scheme

The Scottish Government has announced a new £10 million grant scheme for private tenants struggling to pay their rent as a direct consequence of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The fund is the latest form of financial support made available to Scottish tenants in arrears, and it aims at ensuring that evictions are used as a last resort.

It follows the launch of the £10 million Tenant Hardship Loan Fund in December 2020, offering interest free loans, and takes the Scottish Government’s total support for tenants during COVID-19 to almost £39 million.

Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, said: “The Scottish Government has taken action from the outset to support tenants during the pandemic and I’m delighted to announce today that we will go even further by committing to introduce a new £10 million grant fund to support tenants who have fallen into rent arrears as a direct result of the pandemic

He added: “We will work towards making this grant fund available later in the year and will work with stakeholders over the coming weeks to develop the details.”

The extension of the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund and the Private Rent Sector Landlord (non-business) COVID-19 Loan Scheme is hoped to take some pressure off tenants and landlords struggling with Coronavirus related financial problems and give them more breathing space.

Kevin Stewart, Housing Minister said: “These loan schemes have provided vital support as part of our broader effort to help those facing financial hardship as a result of Covid-19. For the majority of tenants facing financial difficulties and arrears the best means of support continues to be regular non-repayable support, for example through Universal Credit and Discretionary Housing Payments. However, for those who may fall through the gap and are unable to claim such support, these funds offer a helping hand to manage any rent issues that have arisen in the last few months.”

Ban on evictions extended

The announcement follows recent extension of the current ban on the enforcement of eviction orders in Scotland until 31^st March 2022, with the potential to be further extended to 30^th September 2022. Reviews will be held every two months.

Daryl McIntosh, ARLA Propertymark Policy Manager for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, commented: “Many landlords who have been personally affected by the pandemic are already in the position where selling properties is their only viable option and extending the Bill raises concerns that many landlords could exit the market out of frustration.”

He added: “The Scottish Government have to review the measures every two months and we will continue to provide case studies and evidence which highlight agents and landlords’ experiences in the sector, with a view to redressing the balance.”

The Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) highlights that the number of eviction applications in the private rented sector has dropped by 53% in the past 15 months and calls on the Scottish Government to recognise the sector’s excellent and supportive work.

SAL Chief Executive, John Blackwood, said: “Landlords are clear that it is in their best interests to be as flexible as possible in order to sustain tenancies and avoid eviction action being taken.”

He added: “From our analysis of rent arrears eviction cases, it is evident that the existing eviction rules requiring landlords to give six months’ notice have sadly made matters worse for tenants who have accumulated rent arrears that they will struggle to pay off in the future.”

Landlord question

Q: I have prospective tenants wanting to take my property for just two months as they have sold their home and there has been a delay with the purchase of their next property. Can I use a holiday let contract for this?

A: No, a holiday let contract should only be used when the occupants are using the property for a holiday. If a tenant is occupying a property as their main residence, even for a short period of time, the Private Residential Tenancy (PRT) legislation applies. They should therefore be issued with a PRT contract.

Kindest Regards

Michelle O’Donnell

Branch Manager

17 Elmbank Street

Glasgow

G2 4PB

0141 221 3990

 

Registration number LARN1903009

VAT : 174415411

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