Alex Johnstone

Answer · Annabelle Ewing · 21 Oct 2016

I refer the member to the answer to question S5O-00156 on 21 September 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Answer · Kevin Stewart · 12 Oct 2016

The laws governing the Schemes allow tenants to reclaim money owed to them at any time after the end of a tenancy. There is no statutory time limit. Nothing in the scheme rules provides for unclaimed money to be paid to anyone.
Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, Scottish Ministers must review each approved scheme from time to time and may take steps to secure the revision of the reviewed scheme, if appropriate. I have decided that a review of tenancy deposit schemes should take place. The issue of unclaimed deposits will be included for consideration as part of the review process.

Answer · Kevin Stewart · 12 Oct 2016

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the current or expected future value of deposits remaining unclaimed more than one year after the tenancy end date.
Scheme administrators are required to hold a tenant's deposit in a designated account until it falls to be repaid. There are strict conditions for withdrawal of sums from these designated accounts. Nothing in the scheme rules provides for unclaimed money to be paid to anyone.

Answer · Kevin Stewart · 12 Oct 2016

Scheme administrators must hold a tenant’s deposit until it falls to be repaid at the end of the tenancy. If it is unclaimed they must hold it indefinitely in case it is claimed at a later date.

Answer · Kevin Stewart · 12 Oct 2016

Scottish Ministers have approved three tenancy deposit schemes in Scotland on the basis that their proposals met the requirements of the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011.
The laws governing the Schemes allow tenants to reclaim money owed to them at any time after the end of a tenancy. There is no statutory time limit. Nothing in the scheme rules provides for unclaimed money to be paid to anyone. If a deposit is unclaimed, scheme administrators must continue to protect it.

Answer · Annabelle Ewing · 21 Sep 2016

The administration of the courts is the responsibility of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service under the leadership of the Lord President. The Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 makes clear that the Sheriff Principal is responsible for the efficient disposal of business in the sheriff courts.
The decision is in line with a broader initiative to create 16 dedicated sheriff and jury centres across Scotland as set out by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service in its 2012 public consultation, “Shaping Scotland’s Court Services”.