Search Legislation

Housing (Scotland) Act 2006

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

Part 4Tenancy deposits

120Tenancy deposits: preliminary

(1)A “tenancy deposit” is a sum of money held as security for—

(a)the performance of any of the occupant’s obligations arising under or in connection with a tenancy or an occupancy arrangement, or

(b)the discharge of any of the occupant’s liabilities which so arise.

(2)A “tenancy deposit scheme” is a scheme for safeguarding tenancy deposits paid in connection with the occupation of any living accommodation.

121Tenancy deposit schemes: regulatory framework

(1)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations (“tenancy deposit regulations”)—

(a)set out conditions which a tenancy deposit scheme must meet before they can approve it under section 122,

(b)make such further provision about tenancy deposit schemes as they think fit.

(2)Tenancy deposit regulations may, in particular—

(a)make provision about the manner and circumstances in which tenancy deposits must be paid, held and repaid under an approved scheme,

(b)impose sanctions for failing to participate in, or to comply with, an approved scheme,

(c)set out a mechanism for resolving disputes relating to an approved scheme,

(d)prescribe the type of person who may administer an approved scheme,

(e)authorise the Scottish Ministers to make payments, or to give guarantees or other assistance, in connection with—

(i)the creation, administration or operation of an approved scheme,

(ii)the resolution of disputes relating to an approved scheme,

(f)set the amount, or the maximum amount, of any fee which may be charged in connection with an approved scheme,

(g)prescribe arrangements for publicising approved schemes.

(3)But tenancy deposit regulations may not—

(a)prescribe circumstances in which tenancy deposits must be paid under a tenancy or an occupancy arrangement,

(b)create offences.

122Approval of tenancy deposit schemes

(1)The Scottish Ministers may approve a tenancy deposit scheme devised by them or by any other person.

(2)Such an approval—

(a)may not be given unless tenancy deposit regulations are in force, and

(b)must be given in accordance with the tenancy deposit regulations then in force.

(3)Before approving a tenancy deposit scheme, the Scottish Ministers must—

(a)publicise the terms of the proposed scheme in such manner as they think fit, and

(b)consult—

(i)such persons representing landlords or tenants whom they think may be affected by the proposed scheme, and

(ii)such other persons as they think fit,

about the proposed scheme.

(4)The Scottish Ministers must review each approved tenancy deposit scheme from time to time and may, following any such review—

(a)take steps to secure the revision of the reviewed scheme, or

(b)withdraw their approval of the reviewed scheme.

(5)Subsections (1) to (4) apply to revised schemes in the same way as they apply to new schemes (except that that the duty imposed by subsection (3) does not apply if the Scottish Ministers think that a proposed revision is unlikely to adversely affect any person significantly).

(6)The Scottish Ministers may approve—

(a)different tenancy deposit schemes for different types of tenancy or occupancy arrangement,

(b)more than one tenancy deposit scheme for the same type of tenancy or occupancy arrangement.

123Amendment of Rent (Scotland) Act 1984

In section 90(3) (declaration that deposits are not premiums) of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 (c. 58), after “obligations” insert “for rent,”.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules as a PDF

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Show Explanatory Notes for Sections: Displays relevant parts of the explanatory notes interweaved within the legislation content.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the Scottish Government to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Acts of the Scottish Parliament except those which result from Budget Bills.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources