A significant percentage of Scotland’s population continues to live in rented accommodation, and the importance of maintaining a safe and secure home can never be overstated. As a consequence, housing law is an area of law which has a direct and significant impact on many individuals and families, in addition to their landlords. Changes in housing policy and legislation have been a regular feature of the housing scene. Since the creation of the Scottish Parliament the pace of change has only increased.
Housing related issues that have been dealt with by our members include: the methods and procedures for creating assured tenancies and short assured tenancies as well as Scottish secure tenancies and short Scottish secure tenancies; the tenant deposit schemes; succession to tenancies; landlord and tenant obligations; registered rents and appeals; service charges; repairs; tenant's right to buy; homelessness; compulsory purchase; home loss and disturbance payments; stock transfers; freedom of information requests; the effect of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equalities Act 2010; anti-social behaviour orders and the regulation of investigatory powers.
Related areas in which members of Chambers have also advised or represented clients include regulation of social landlords by the Scottish Housing Regulator, complaints to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, the registration of private sector landlords, advising letting agents on current and anticipated legal developments, council tax, welfare benefits, and conservation areas/listed buildings.
Members of Terra Firma Chambers have considerable experience in advising and representing social and private landlords, tenants, and letting agents in all aspects of housing law.
Members of Terra Firma Chambers with Housing experience:
