The SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust works to raise standards in the private rented sector, by:
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The relief of those in need through promoting, undertaking, and supporting research into factors that contribute to hardship and disadvantage in the private rented sector and the most appropriate ways to mitigate these, and to publish the useful results.
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Advancing education about housing rights and obligations in general, and in particular about:
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Best practice in the management of private rented housing​
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Legal rights and obligations of those involved in the provision or management of private rented housing or who hold tenancies within the private rented housing sector, and
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Using alternative dispute resolution for more efficient and effective resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
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Advancing conflict resolution through promoting the use of alternative dispute resolution processes for the more efficient resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants within the private rented housing sector. ​​​
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We are funded mainly by donations from SafeDeposits Scotland – the country’s leading tenancy deposit scheme which operates on a not-for-profit basis.
We operate across Scotland and have funded organisations and projects at both national and local level.
In England and Wales, SafeDeposits’ parent group The Dispute Service funds the TDS Charitable Foundation which works towards similar goals in the private rented sectors of England and Wales.
SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust is on mission to raise standards in the private rented sector.
We deliver our mission by awarding grants to organisations, conducting research, and providing educational information to tenants and landlords.
Trustees
The Trust can have up to eight Trustees at any one time.
It is currently Chaired by Claire Mullen.
Claire Mullen - Chair
Claire is a Senior Associate at TC Young LLP with over 14 years experience in the provision of legal advice in respect of residential tenancy litigation matters. She holds a law degree from the University of Strathclyde and a Diploma in Legal Practice, and is recognised by the Law Society of Scotland as an Accredited Specialist in Housing and Residential Tenancy Law.
Penny Coburn - Trustee
As a trustee of the SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust Penny represents the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL). Penny is a Board member of SAL and has been a landlord within the private rented sector for over 35 years. During her working life Penny has primarily been in housing and ended her career at the Scottish Government in Rent Service Scotland. She has also been a Board member and chair of a social housing sector organisation. Penny is passionate about ensuring the best interests of landlords are always to the fore whilst understanding the needs of tenants.
Alex Mudie - Trustee
Alex is a Legal Manager at Baxendale Employee Ownership, where he advises on all legal aspects of an employee ownership transition. He previously worked as a corporate solicitor, advising a range of clients on corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions as well as commercial contracts more generally.
Richard Burnett - Trustee
Richard is a Chartered Surveyor with over 40 years’ experience. He has chaired the Property Managers Association Scotland Ltd, The Institute of Residential Property Managers and most recently the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Scotland Board. His continuing involvement with these bodies keeps his knowledge of current trends and issues to the fore.
Neil McInnes - Trustee
Neil is Managing Director at Umega, an award-winning letting agency based in Edinburgh. With over 15 years of experience in the private rented sector, Neil brings strategic insight and a strong commitment to improving outcomes for tenants and landlords across Scotland. As a trustee of the SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust, he supports initiatives that promote education, training and best practice in the housing sector.