One very common issue that tenants in the private rented sector come across is illegal withholding of deposits. The following is our guide explaining what to do, how to prevent it from happening and how to claim it back!
Has your landlord illegally withheld your deposit?
May 4th, 2012 | Posted by in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)Tenancy fees are illegal: lets keep them that way.
April 18th, 2012 | Posted by in News - (0 Comments)
The Scottish Government is clarifying the law on tenancy fees, and has launched its “Consultation on the Charging of Premiums in the Private Rented Sector”. They are currently illegal, however some fees may actually end up being legalised following this consultation, so swift action is needed. (more…)
Can You Trust Your Landlord With Your Personal Details?
April 4th, 2012 | Posted by in News - (0 Comments)
If you live in rented housing, then there’s a chance that your personal details are being stored and shared without your knowledge. It has recently emerged that landlords have been setting up websites to share records about their previous tenants, effectively giving them the ability to create a blacklist. (more…)
An EPTAG member, Euan Kidston, explains how he followed the EPTAG guide to getting your illegal tenancy charges back, and won! (more…)
Our next meeting is at 7pm, Monday 19th, in the Leith Community Education Centre. We will be discussing how to move forward with our campaign against criminal landlords, and taking action on illegal letting agency fees. See you there!
Edinburgh councillor back calls for better regulation of private landlords
March 10th, 2012 | Posted by in News - (0 Comments)In an article on STV Edinburgh, Maggie Chapman, the Green Councillor for Leith Walk Ward and the Green housing spokesperson – explained why she is backing an Edinburgh Private Tenants Action Group’s campaign for tougher enforcement against criminal landlords.
Edinburgh campaign urges private tenants to claim disputed fees back from letting agents
March 5th, 2012 | Posted by in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)EPTAG’s campaign against illegal letting agency fees makes it into the news:
Survey puts spotlight on the ‘disgrace’ of extra tenancy fees charged by city letting agencies. A newly formed Edinburgh tenants group has released survey results that show that the vast majority of letting agencies in the city are charging private tenants fees which campaigners claim are illegal.
Read the full article on STV Local here.
Bright Green Scotland has recently published an article calling for a private tenants movement which mentions EPTAG.
“Housing is one of the defining issues of our generation. Not only have sub-prime mortgages triggered a financial crisis that has led to high unemployment and austerity measures, but it’s also becoming more difficult to find a decent and affordable place to live.”
Read the full article in the blog Bright Green Scotland, here.
Tenancy Fees – EPTAG’s Guide To Getting Your Money Back
February 19th, 2012 | Posted by in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)Despite the fact that it is illegal under Scots Law, most letting agencies operating in Edinburgh charge new tenants a fee on top of their rent and deposit. Because the practise is so common, even among “reputable” agencies, it can be difficult to avoid paying illegal fees – but you have the right to claim a refund.
This information isn’t widely known, so we’ve produced a step-by-step guide to help tenants get their money back.
Our next meeting is on Monday, 20th Feb, 19.00-21.00, in the Leith Community and Education Centre. We will be planning our upcoming public meeting, please come along and help us make this event a great success!
