Leading agency welcomes tenancy overhaul in Scotland

One of Scotland’s leading lettings and estate agencies, Galbraith, has given the thumbs up to a new tenancy process introduced north of the border.

All properties let from December 1 onwards have had to involve a Private Residential Tenancy, replacing the previous system of Assured and Short Assured Tenancies.

The agency says there are elements in the new legislation which landlords need to be very careful about – in particular it will not be possible to terminate a new Private Residential Tenancy with notice, without cause.

But Bob Cherry, head of lettings at the company, says there is much to be welcomed in the change, too. 

“For example, tenants will have improved security of tenure and whilst this could sometimes create difficulties for landlords who have a genuine reason to need to end a tenancy agreement, the vast majority of our landlords are seeking a long-term let and the new private residential tenancies will help to achieve this in many cases.

“Where the relationship between the tenant and the landlord does break down, there may be an element of streamlining the process for resolving disputes, but we will have to wait and see how this system operates in practice. 

“The key aspect for the industry to operate successfully is effective communication between the landlord and the tenant from day one of the tenancy and a willingness on both sides to work in close collaboration.”

Galbraith has lettings teams operating in six offices across Scotland.