Hopefully the good weather comes back 😊

Dear all,

I know that because as a qualified letting agent the letting agent code of practice is a mantra to me, and I should have explained WHAT it is in last weeks email, but the email was on the back of some disappointing news for landlords that it didn’t cross my mind.  However that will be rectified today.

When the private rented tenancy (PRT) became the standard lease agreement to be used in the private rented sector, it was the biggest change in housing legislation since 1986.   The Scottish government, realizing that there were going to be generations of renters, created  the PRT and ensured that letting agents had to be registered and qualified to undertake the work.

The Letting Agent Code of Practice (the Code) began on 31 January 2018. This is a set of rules that all letting agents must follow to make sure they give a good service to tenants and landlords. The Code explains the minimum standards a letting agent must meet when dealing with tenants and landlords.

The actual code issued by the Scottish government can be found at https://www.gov.scot/publications/letting-agent-code-practice/

In 2017 Colin and I went through an intensive 5 months  of training and essay writing including submissions of work, exams and courses.  I can honestly say that since University I hadn’t done the like.  The strangest part of it all was being in a room with other agents, essentially competitors in the business, and working together to complete the material with the  Chartered Institute of Housing in partnership with the Scottish Association of Landlords.  I have remained good friends with other agents because of this, and we do keep work chat to a minimum, but it is nice to hear other agents stories and exchange ideas and things that work and don’t work.

Due to agents requiring to be registered you maybe would have noticed some agencies closing or combining with others and Letting Agent Registration Numbers being posted on signs, emails and business cards.

A list of registered agents can be found at https://register.lettingagentregistration.gov.scot/ and the Glasgow Property Letting details found at https://register.lettingagentregistration.gov.scot/searchresult/LARN1903009

You will notice that we are due for renewal next year, which Colin and I are undertaking the preparations for requalification now.

We work with the Scottish government to supply them with the current rental valuations and details on how the market is going.  Recently we have been asked to pass on the below survey link to landlords so you can give feedback on how the  coronavirus has affected you  and your feelings on recent proposed changes

https://rentbetter.indigohousegroup.com/call-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/

As landlords we have had some interesting news over the past few weeks, so I will keep this email brief and update you further when I have more information about the Scottish Government proposals.

Unwanted visitors of the 8 legged kind

Now it’s September, many people have started to spot an increasing number of spiders entering their homes. As Autumn hits and temperatures begin to fall, spiders start creeping into our homes for mating season. If the creepy crawlies aren’t paying rent, you’d be wanting to banish them.

I am the designated spider catcher in my family using the glass,  card and release method, but there are lots of other deterrents to stop them coming in.

One way of doing it is by using lemons, because for some reason, spiders can’t stand the smell of citrus!  According to Expert Home Tips, rubbing lemon peel over windowsills, bookshelves, and anywhere else you usually find spiders will help move them along and out of your home, with the added benefit of smelling fantastic.

One of the most talked about tips on tiktok for keeping spiders at bay is mixing peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle, which you can then spray in corners of your home to deter the pests.

Supposedly you can also achieve the same result as the peppermint trick with white vinegar diluted in water.  Although this version of the trick does smell worse than the mint approach, the stench of the vinegar should disappear as soon as it dries.  Once again, filling a spray bottle with warm water and adding lavender oil alongside washing up liquid can help to send spiders scurrying out of your home.

Take care and stay safe,

Kindest Regards

Michelle ODonnell

Branch Manager

17 Elmbank Street

Glasgow

G2 4PB

0141 221 3990

 

Registration number LARN1903009

VAT : 174415411

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