SafeDeposits Scotland Trust seeking registers of interest

Since launching in 2016, the trust has funded more than £140,000 towards projects in Scotland that meet the charity’s aims – to advance best practice in customer service by landlords, improve tenants’ information, rights and obligations, and promote alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

The trust and grants awarded by the trust are funded by SafeDeposits Scotland, the only not-for-profit tenancy deposit scheme north of the border, safeguarding more than 100,000 deposits of private rented tenants. If the scheme generates financial surpluses over and above the costs of running its business, these are handed over to the trust to be reinvested into improving Scotland’s PRS.

Over the last two years, a variety of organisations have been awarded funding by the SafeDeposits Scotland Trust to progress initiatives that will improve the PRS. These include: the University of Strathclyde Mediation Clinic – for The Housing Project, which has been built on the clinic’s experience and expertise, providing mediation services for private rented housing in Scotland; Shelter Scotland – for the redevelopment and update of the rentingscotland.org, a free online tool that offers tenants and landlords a comprehensive guide to private renting in Scotland; Under One Roof Scotland, for a series of seminars providing information and advice that enables landlords to overcome blockages in the common repair process.

The charity is always looking for exciting and innovative suggestions, proposals and projects, and is now inviting expressions of interest from individuals and organisations. Ideas should satisfy the aims of the SafeDeposits Scotland Trust by enhancing the workings of the PRS in Scotland through advancing education or information, and providing tangible benefits to current or prospective landlords and tenants.