Tenant vetting and illegal use of rented property

27/02/2010
On 22 February, The Scotsman reported on a move by Strathclyde Police to crack down on criminals – mainly illegal immigrants - who take on tenancies of residential properties and then use them for growing cannabis, and on the force’s appeal to insurers to make the owners liable for any damage – something that could leave landlords facing huge bills if they allow their properties to fall into the wrong hands.

Hopes of a housing market recovery look distant as renters cling on

22/02/2010
By Jeff Salway , Personal Finance Editor. PROSPECTS of a housing market recovery remain distant as potential buyers are forced by a sluggish lending market to continue renting, property experts have claimed.

The new let set

07/02/2010
Would-be buyers and sellers are turning to renting and tenancies as a way to move on, writes TIM DAWSON

Forget the new kitchen, sort that ancient wiring

28/01/2010
RICHARD GARGARO If the Arctic-like conditions that hit Scotland during December and the early part of January did any good, it was to emphasise just how important maintenance is to keeping the home properly functioning.

Jumpy market still has jitters

25/01/2010
By STEWART McINTOSH. Two things drive the property market - liquidity and confidence. Which is a pity, since hope for a continuing recovery in the residential market could be dashed this year due to would-be buyers struggling to find the funds to purchase what they want and need. Meanwhile, others who do have the liquidity are afraid to dip their toe into the market for fear that values still have further to fall.

It's a good time to buy but be very selective

16/01/2010
DAVID ALEXANDER. With thousands of recently built flats across Britain having been repossessed during 2009 and many of the surviving landlords who rushed into ‘buy to let’ deep in negative equity, it might seem that only the brave will dare to venture into residential property investment in the next 12 months.

Market upheaval continues but ‘location, location, location’ still name of the game

14/01/2010
DJ ALEXANDER QUARTERLY UPDATE

Lettings agency hails its busiest December ever as fall in mortgages peps up rentals

03/01/2010
By Rosemary Gallagher. SALES of residential property failed to recover in 2009 but the year ended on a high note for the rental sector, according to the owner of Scotland's largest independent letting agency.