Whether obligations exist for factors to ensure best value in work that they undertake or commission on behalf of their clients.

The Scottish Housing Regulator has published a set of high-level performance standards that registered social landlords (RSLs) and local authorities should achieve across their range of housing services. The Performance Standards include the broad expectation that, in their factoring activities, local authorities and RSLs should be:fair, efficient and effective factors for other property owners and manage factoring funds on behalf of owners in a proper and accountable manner.
There are no specific service standards laid down for private sector property managers and factors in relation to work that they undertake or commission on behalf of their clients. Those that are members of trade or professional bodies will be required by the body to comply with any code of practice that it has established. Otherwise service delivery by property managers and factors is a contractual matter between them and their customers, enforceable in the courts.
The Scottish Government has announced plans to work with the industry to develop a national accreditation scheme for residential property managers that is open to local authorities and RSLs offering factoring services as well as private sector property managers. Property managers that join the scheme will have to meet high standards of service, including obtaining quotations for necessary works from a range of contractors, and could have their accreditation removed if they fail to meet standards.