The Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011, which came into force on 1st October 2012, provides protections for homeowners who engage with a registered property factor. The Act introduced a Code of Conduct that set out minimum standards of practice to which all registered property factors must adhere.
The Scottish Government have a responsibility under the Act to prepare an appropriate Code of Conduct setting minimum standards of practice, linked directly to the legislation, and which all factors must work to.
Following the conclusion of an ongoing review and consultation process of the existing Code of Conduct, the Scottish Government announced in January this year that the revised Code of Conduct had been laid before Parliament and published on the Scottish Government website, as required under the Act.
The revised Code can be found by clicking on the following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/code-of-conduct-for-property-factors-2021/.
The revised Code of Conduct comes into force on 16th August 2021 and replaces the original Code, which came into force in October 2012. The Code of Conduct is one of three main elements of the 2011 Act. The two other main elements are:
• A register of property factors.
• A dispute resolution mechanism for homeowners
At Hacking and Paterson Management Services, we understand the importance of compliance with both the Act and its Code. To satisfy the changes to the Code, amendments to our Terms of Service and Delivery Standards are required. Further information on any amendments will be issued to our customers on or before the 16th August 2021.