Are you getting the most out of your property? The standard of rental property in Edinburgh is constantly improving. Traditional tenement flats are now competing with brand new properties. Let our Maintenance Department get yours up to scratch.

Littlejohns will advise on what improvements will add value, carry these out and can even provide furnishings for your property. Our strong management skills and contacts with all maintenance trades mean that work will be carried out smoothly and efficiently so that your property is vacant for the shortest time possible.

Do get in touch with us today to find out more.

To comply with EU legislation all rental properties marketed in Scotland must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

The certificate gives a rating, similar to what you find on white goods etc, showing its energy efficiency and its environmental impact on a scale of A to G in a graph form, where A is most efficient and G the least efficient.

The certificate also recommends ways to improve the property’s energy performance to help save energy, reduce bills and cut carbon dioxide emissions.

The cost of a certificate is in the region of £80 plus vat.  The certificate is valid for rental purposes for 10 years but properties should be re-assessed sooner if energy saving improvements are carried out, such as the installation of a new boiler.

It is good letting practice and will improve your property’s EPC rating if you can provide a basic level of thermal insulation and where necessary draught insulation of doors and windows and lagging of hot water pipes and immersion heaters.

The Tenant must be able to heat your property to a reasonable temperature and at a reasonable cost so there should be an efficient and economical heating supply and hot water supply.

The Non-resident Scheme is a scheme for taxing the UK rental income of non-resident Landlords.

The term ‘ non-resident landlords’ include individuals, companies and trustees who have:

• A UK rental income and
• A ‘usual place of abode’ outside the UK.  In the case of individuals, this is regarded as an absence from the UK for 6 months or more.

The scheme requires UK Letting Agents to deduct Basic Rate Tax ( currently 22% ) from any rent collected for non- resident landlords, if non-resident Landlords do not have a UK Letting Agent acting for them or if a ‘let only’ service is provided, and the rent is more than £100.00 per week, their tenants must deduct the tax.  In calculating the amount to tax, the letting agent or tenants take into account any allowable deductible expenses they pay in the quarter.

For non-resident Landlords to be able to receive rents with no tax deducted, they must successfully apply to the Inland Revenue for approval.  If successful, a notice of approval will be sent to the non-resident Landlord and a separate notice sent to us, the Letting Agent, authorising us to pay rent without deducting tax.  Please note that even though rent may be paid with no tax deducted it is still liable to tax and therefore must be included in any tax return.

For further information and to download an application form please visit HMRC.