diff --git a/app/helpers/filters_helper.rb b/app/helpers/filters_helper.rb
index 087314863..aeed98d9e 100644
--- a/app/helpers/filters_helper.rb
+++ b/app/helpers/filters_helper.rb
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ module FiltersHelper
       "incomplete" => "Incomplete",
       "active" => "Active",
       "deactivating_soon" => "Deactivating soon",
+      "activating_soon" => "Activating soon",
       "reactivating_soon" => "Reactivating soon",
       "deactivated" => "Deactivated",
     }.freeze
diff --git a/app/models/location.rb b/app/models/location.rb
index 65e0466b3..64272d549 100644
--- a/app/models/location.rb
+++ b/app/models/location.rb
@@ -21,9 +21,9 @@ class Location < ApplicationRecord
   scope :search_by_postcode, ->(postcode) { where("REPLACE(postcode, ' ', '') ILIKE ?", "%#{postcode.delete(' ')}%") }
   scope :search_by_name, ->(name) { where("name ILIKE ?", "%#{name}%") }
   scope :search_by, ->(param) { search_by_name(param).or(search_by_postcode(param)) }
-  scope :started, -> { where("startdate <= ?", Time.zone.today).or(where(startdate: nil)) }
+  scope :started, -> { where("locations.startdate <= ?", Time.zone.today).or(where(startdate: nil)) }
   scope :active, -> { where(confirmed: true).and(started) }
-  scope :started_in_2_weeks, -> { where("startdate <= ?", Time.zone.today + 2.weeks).or(where(startdate: nil)) }
+  scope :started_in_2_weeks, -> { where("locations.startdate <= ?", Time.zone.today + 2.weeks).or(where(startdate: nil)) }
   scope :active_in_2_weeks, -> { where(confirmed: true).and(started_in_2_weeks) }
   scope :confirmed, -> { where(confirmed: true) }
   scope :unconfirmed, -> { where.not(confirmed: true) }
@@ -122,9 +122,7 @@ class Location < ApplicationRecord
   end
 
   def available_from
-    return startdate if startdate.present?
-
-    FormHandler.instance.earliest_open_collection_start_date(now: created_at)
+    startdate || FormHandler.instance.earliest_open_collection_start_date(now: created_at)
   end
 
   def open_deactivation
diff --git a/app/models/organisation.rb b/app/models/organisation.rb
index 077f0413e..da6a92d0d 100644
--- a/app/models/organisation.rb
+++ b/app/models/organisation.rb
@@ -25,6 +25,11 @@ class Organisation < ApplicationRecord
       ids << id
     end
 
+    absorbed_organisations.each do |organisation|
+      ids.concat(organisation.stock_owners.pluck(:id))
+      ids << organisation.id if organisation.holds_own_stock?
+    end
+
     ids.concat(stock_owners.pluck(:id))
 
     Organisation.where(id: ids)
diff --git a/app/models/sales_log.rb b/app/models/sales_log.rb
index 4345b9694..fd330f5c5 100644
--- a/app/models/sales_log.rb
+++ b/app/models/sales_log.rb
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ class SalesLog < Log
   before_validation :set_derived_fields!
   before_validation :process_uprn_change!, if: :should_process_uprn_change?
 
+  belongs_to :managing_organisation, class_name: "Organisation", optional: true
+
   scope :filter_by_year, ->(year) { where(saledate: Time.zone.local(year.to_i, 4, 1)...Time.zone.local(year.to_i + 1, 4, 1)) }
   scope :filter_by_purchaser_code, ->(purchid) { where("purchid ILIKE ?", "%#{purchid}%") }
   scope :search_by, lambda { |param|
diff --git a/app/models/scheme.rb b/app/models/scheme.rb
index 9d760998d..00db3924d 100644
--- a/app/models/scheme.rb
+++ b/app/models/scheme.rb
@@ -65,11 +65,16 @@ class Scheme < ApplicationRecord
     .where("scheme_deactivation_periods.reactivation_date > ?", Time.zone.now)
   }
 
+  scope :activating_soon, lambda {
+    where("startdate > ?", Time.zone.now)
+  }
+
   scope :active_status, lambda {
     where.not(id: joins(:scheme_deactivation_periods).reactivating_soon.pluck(:id))
     .where.not(id: joins(:scheme_deactivation_periods).deactivated.pluck(:id))
     .where.not(id: incomplete.pluck(:id))
     .where.not(id: joins(:scheme_deactivation_periods).deactivating_soon.pluck(:id))
+    .where.not(id: activating_soon.pluck(:id))
   }
 
   validate :validate_confirmed
@@ -243,7 +248,7 @@ class Scheme < ApplicationRecord
   end
 
   def validate_confirmed
-    required_attributes = attribute_names - %w[id created_at updated_at old_id old_visible_id confirmed end_date sensitive secondary_client_group total_units deactivation_date deactivation_date_type]
+    required_attributes = attribute_names - %w[id created_at updated_at old_id old_visible_id confirmed end_date sensitive secondary_client_group total_units deactivation_date deactivation_date_type startdate]
 
     if confirmed == true
       required_attributes.any? do |attribute|
@@ -262,7 +267,7 @@ class Scheme < ApplicationRecord
   end
 
   def available_from
-    FormHandler.instance.earliest_open_collection_start_date(now: created_at)
+    startdate || FormHandler.instance.earliest_open_collection_start_date(now: created_at)
   end
 
   def open_deactivation
@@ -282,6 +287,7 @@ class Scheme < ApplicationRecord
     return :deactivated if open_deactivation&.deactivation_date.present? && date >= open_deactivation.deactivation_date
     return :deactivating_soon if open_deactivation&.deactivation_date.present? && date < open_deactivation.deactivation_date
     return :reactivating_soon if last_deactivation_before(date)&.reactivation_date.present? && date < last_deactivation_before(date).reactivation_date
+    return :activating_soon if startdate.present? && date < startdate
 
     :active
   end
diff --git a/app/models/validations/setup_validations.rb b/app/models/validations/setup_validations.rb
index 744cc5ade..adfcfe861 100644
--- a/app/models/validations/setup_validations.rb
+++ b/app/models/validations/setup_validations.rb
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ module Validations::SetupValidations
     unless record.startdate.between?(first_collection_start_date, current_collection_end_date)
       record.errors.add :startdate, startdate_validation_error_message
     end
-
-    validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
   end
 
   def validate_organisation(record)
@@ -54,6 +52,16 @@ module Validations::SetupValidations
     end
   end
 
+  def validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
+    return unless record.startdate && date_valid?("startdate", record)
+
+    return add_same_merge_organisation_error(record) if record.owning_organisation == record.managing_organisation
+    return add_same_merge_error(record) if organisations_belong_to_same_merge?(record.owning_organisation, record.managing_organisation)
+
+    add_merged_organisations_errors(record)
+    add_absorbing_organisations_errors(record)
+  end
+
   def validate_irproduct_other(record)
     if intermediate_product_rent_type?(record) && record.irproduct_other.blank?
       record.errors.add :irproduct_other, I18n.t("validations.setup.intermediate_rent_product_name.blank")
@@ -134,14 +142,6 @@ private
     record.rent_type == 5
   end
 
-  def validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
-    return add_same_merge_organisation_error(record) if record.owning_organisation == record.managing_organisation
-    return add_same_merge_error(record) if organisations_belong_to_same_merge?(record.owning_organisation, record.managing_organisation)
-
-    add_merged_organisations_errors(record)
-    add_absorbing_organisations_errors(record)
-  end
-
   def add_same_merge_organisation_error(record)
     if merged_owning_organisation_inactive?(record)
       record.errors.add :startdate, I18n.t("validations.setup.startdate.invalid_merged_organisations_start_date.same_organisation",
diff --git a/app/services/bulk_upload/lettings/year2023/row_parser.rb b/app/services/bulk_upload/lettings/year2023/row_parser.rb
index 585ec7c93..25b00302c 100644
--- a/app/services/bulk_upload/lettings/year2023/row_parser.rb
+++ b/app/services/bulk_upload/lettings/year2023/row_parser.rb
@@ -540,11 +540,11 @@ private
 
   def validate_created_by_related
     return unless created_by
+    return if created_by.organisation == owning_organisation || created_by.organisation == managing_organisation
+    return if created_by.organisation == owning_organisation&.absorbing_organisation || created_by.organisation == managing_organisation&.absorbing_organisation
 
-    unless (created_by.organisation == owning_organisation) || (created_by.organisation == managing_organisation)
-      block_log_creation!
-      errors.add(:field_3, "User must be related to owning organisation or managing organisation")
-    end
+    block_log_creation!
+    errors.add(:field_3, "User must be related to owning organisation or managing organisation")
   end
 
   def created_by
diff --git a/app/services/bulk_upload/sales/year2023/row_parser.rb b/app/services/bulk_upload/sales/year2023/row_parser.rb
index 6ce207abf..c83c9161a 100644
--- a/app/services/bulk_upload/sales/year2023/row_parser.rb
+++ b/app/services/bulk_upload/sales/year2023/row_parser.rb
@@ -1195,11 +1195,10 @@ private
 
   def validate_created_by_related
     return unless created_by
+    return if created_by.organisation == owning_organisation || created_by.organisation == owning_organisation&.absorbing_organisation
 
-    unless created_by.organisation == owning_organisation
-      block_log_creation!
-      errors.add(:field_2, "User must be related to owning organisation", category: :setup)
-    end
+    block_log_creation!
+    errors.add(:field_2, "User must be related to owning organisation", category: :setup)
   end
 
   def setup_question?(question)
diff --git a/app/services/merge/merge_organisations_service.rb b/app/services/merge/merge_organisations_service.rb
index 1599db5fa..a6a148b21 100644
--- a/app/services/merge/merge_organisations_service.rb
+++ b/app/services/merge/merge_organisations_service.rb
@@ -69,9 +69,9 @@ private
     merging_organisation.owned_schemes.each do |scheme|
       next if scheme.deactivated?
 
-      new_scheme = Scheme.create!(scheme.attributes.except("id", "owning_organisation_id", "old_id", "old_visible_id").merge(owning_organisation: @absorbing_organisation))
+      new_scheme = Scheme.create!(scheme.attributes.except("id", "owning_organisation_id", "old_id", "old_visible_id").merge(owning_organisation: @absorbing_organisation, startdate: @merge_date))
       scheme.locations.each do |location|
-        new_scheme.locations << Location.new(location.attributes.except("id", "scheme_id", "old_id", "old_visible_id")) unless location.deactivated?
+        new_scheme.locations << Location.new(location.attributes.except("id", "scheme_id", "old_id", "old_visible_id").merge(startdate: [location&.startdate, @merge_date].compact.max)) unless location.deactivated?
       end
       @merged_schemes[merging_organisation.name] << { name: new_scheme.service_name, code: new_scheme.id }
       SchemeDeactivationPeriod.create!(scheme:, deactivation_date: @merge_date)
diff --git a/app/views/layouts/_footer.html.erb b/app/views/layouts/_footer.html.erb
index 3dc3a70b3..f105cb9d5 100644
--- a/app/views/layouts/_footer.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/layouts/_footer.html.erb
@@ -17,16 +17,6 @@
             <li>Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm<br>(except public holidays)</li>
           </ul>
         </div>
-
-        <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third-from-desktop">
-          <h3 class="govuk-heading-s govuk-!-margin-bottom-1">Email</h3>
-          <ul class="govuk-list govuk-!-font-size-16 govuk-!-margin-bottom-0">
-            <li>
-              <%= govuk_mail_to("dluhc.digital-services@levellingup.gov.uk", subject: "CORE:", class: "govuk-footer__link") %>
-            </li>
-            <li class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-0">We aim to respond within 2 working&nbsp;days</li>
-          </ul>
-        </div>
       </div>
 
       <h2 class="govuk-visually-hidden">Helpful links</h2>
diff --git a/db/migrate/20231121131725_add_sales_managing_organisation.rb b/db/migrate/20231121131725_add_sales_managing_organisation.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f4085414a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/migrate/20231121131725_add_sales_managing_organisation.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+class AddSalesManagingOrganisation < ActiveRecord::Migration[7.0]
+  def change
+    change_table :sales_logs, bulk: true do |t|
+      t.references :managing_organisation, class_name: "Organisation"
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/db/migrate/20231204101105_add_startdate_to_schemes.rb b/db/migrate/20231204101105_add_startdate_to_schemes.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9299cb80a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/migrate/20231204101105_add_startdate_to_schemes.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+class AddStartdateToSchemes < ActiveRecord::Migration[7.0]
+  def change
+    add_column :schemes, :startdate, :datetime
+  end
+end
diff --git a/db/schema.rb b/db/schema.rb
index 7eda570d1..610f2f1a4 100644
--- a/db/schema.rb
+++ b/db/schema.rb
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 #
 # It's strongly recommended that you check this file into your version control system.
 
-ActiveRecord::Schema[7.0].define(version: 2023_10_23_142854) do
+ActiveRecord::Schema[7.0].define(version: 2023_12_04_101105) do
   # These are extensions that must be enabled in order to support this database
   enable_extension "plpgsql"
 
@@ -624,8 +624,10 @@ ActiveRecord::Schema[7.0].define(version: 2023_10_23_142854) do
     t.integer "creation_method", default: 1
     t.integer "old_form_id"
     t.datetime "values_updated_at"
+    t.bigint "managing_organisation_id"
     t.index ["bulk_upload_id"], name: "index_sales_logs_on_bulk_upload_id"
     t.index ["created_by_id"], name: "index_sales_logs_on_created_by_id"
+    t.index ["managing_organisation_id"], name: "index_sales_logs_on_managing_organisation_id"
     t.index ["old_id"], name: "index_sales_logs_on_old_id", unique: true
     t.index ["owning_organisation_id"], name: "index_sales_logs_on_owning_organisation_id"
     t.index ["updated_by_id"], name: "index_sales_logs_on_updated_by_id"
@@ -659,6 +661,7 @@ ActiveRecord::Schema[7.0].define(version: 2023_10_23_142854) do
     t.string "old_visible_id"
     t.integer "total_units"
     t.boolean "confirmed"
+    t.datetime "startdate"
     t.index ["owning_organisation_id"], name: "index_schemes_on_owning_organisation_id"
   end
 
diff --git a/lib/tasks/set_sales_managing_organisation.rake b/lib/tasks/set_sales_managing_organisation.rake
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..85e2ced22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/tasks/set_sales_managing_organisation.rake
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+desc "Set sales managing organisation id to owning organisation id"
+task set_sales_managing_organisation: :environment do
+  SalesLog.where.not(owning_organisation_id: nil).update_all("managing_organisation_id = owning_organisation_id")
+end
diff --git a/spec/helpers/locations_helper_spec.rb b/spec/helpers/locations_helper_spec.rb
index da4b17322..fec1ce53b 100644
--- a/spec/helpers/locations_helper_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/helpers/locations_helper_spec.rb
@@ -214,6 +214,15 @@ RSpec.describe LocationsHelper do
 
           expect(availability_attribute).to eq("Active from 1 April 2022")
         end
+
+        context "when location was merged" do
+          it "displays merge date as availability date" do
+            location.update!(startdate: Time.zone.local(2022, 4, 16))
+            availability_attribute = display_location_attributes(location).find { |x| x[:name] == "Availability" }[:value]
+
+            expect(availability_attribute).to eq("Active from 16 April 2022")
+          end
+        end
       end
 
       context "with previous deactivations" do
diff --git a/spec/helpers/schemes_helper_spec.rb b/spec/helpers/schemes_helper_spec.rb
index 6aaa10260..ff3030932 100644
--- a/spec/helpers/schemes_helper_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/helpers/schemes_helper_spec.rb
@@ -303,6 +303,17 @@ RSpec.describe SchemesHelper do
         expect(display_scheme_attributes(scheme)).to eq(attributes)
       end
     end
+
+    context "when scheme was merged from another organisation" do
+      before do
+        FactoryBot.create(:location, scheme:)
+        scheme.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 1, 5)
+      end
+
+      it "returns correct availability" do
+        expect(display_scheme_attributes(scheme)).to include({ name: "Availability", value: "Active from 5 January 2023" })
+      end
+    end
   end
 
   describe "edit_scheme_text" do
diff --git a/spec/lib/tasks/set_sales_managing_organisation_spec.rb b/spec/lib/tasks/set_sales_managing_organisation_spec.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c8e304d9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/lib/tasks/set_sales_managing_organisation_spec.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+require "rails_helper"
+require "rake"
+
+RSpec.describe "set_sales_managing_organisation" do
+  describe ":set_sales_managing_organisation", type: :task do
+    subject(:task) { Rake::Task["set_sales_managing_organisation"] }
+
+    before do
+      Rake.application.rake_require("tasks/set_sales_managing_organisation")
+      Rake::Task.define_task(:environment)
+      task.reenable
+    end
+
+    context "when the rake task is run" do
+      let!(:sales_log) { create(:sales_log, :completed, managing_organisation_id: nil) }
+
+      it "updates sales log managing_organisation_id with owning_organisation_id" do
+        expect(sales_log.managing_organisation_id).to eq(nil)
+        expect(sales_log.status).to eq("completed")
+        task.invoke
+        sales_log.reload
+        expect(sales_log.managing_organisation_id).to eq(sales_log.owning_organisation_id)
+        expect(sales_log.status).to eq("completed")
+      end
+
+      it "does not update sales log managing_organisation_id if owning_organisation_id is nil" do
+        sales_log.update!(owning_organisation_id: nil)
+        expect(sales_log.status).to eq("in_progress")
+        expect(sales_log.managing_organisation_id).to eq(nil)
+        task.invoke
+        sales_log.reload
+        expect(sales_log.managing_organisation_id).to eq(nil)
+        expect(sales_log.status).to eq("in_progress")
+      end
+
+      it "skips validations" do
+        sales_log.saledate = Time.zone.local(2021, 3, 3)
+        sales_log.save!(validate: false)
+        expect(sales_log.managing_organisation_id).to eq(nil)
+        expect(sales_log.status).to eq("in_progress")
+        task.invoke
+        sales_log.reload
+        expect(sales_log.managing_organisation_id).to eq(sales_log.owning_organisation_id)
+        expect(sales_log.status).to eq("in_progress")
+      end
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/spec/models/scheme_spec.rb b/spec/models/scheme_spec.rb
index cb9d74578..2f1036c1a 100644
--- a/spec/models/scheme_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/scheme_spec.rb
@@ -123,6 +123,7 @@ RSpec.describe Scheme, type: :model do
         let(:deactivated_scheme_2) { FactoryBot.create(:scheme) }
         let(:reactivating_soon_scheme) { FactoryBot.create(:scheme) }
         let(:reactivating_soon_scheme_2) { FactoryBot.create(:scheme) }
+        let(:activating_soon_scheme) { FactoryBot.create(:scheme, startdate: Time.zone.today + 1.week) }
 
         before do
           scheme.destroy!
@@ -242,11 +243,18 @@ RSpec.describe Scheme, type: :model do
         expect(scheme.status).to eq(:deactivated)
       end
 
-      it "returns reactivating soon if the location has a future reactivation date" do
+      it "returns reactivating soon if the scheme has a future reactivation date" do
         FactoryBot.create(:scheme_deactivation_period, deactivation_date: Time.zone.local(2022, 6, 7), reactivation_date: Time.zone.local(2022, 6, 8), scheme:)
         scheme.save!
         expect(scheme.status).to eq(:reactivating_soon)
       end
+
+      it "returns activating soon if the scheme has a future startdate" do
+        Timecop.freeze(2022, 6, 4)
+        scheme.startdate = Time.zone.local(2022, 7, 7)
+        scheme.save!
+        expect(scheme.status).to eq(:activating_soon)
+      end
     end
 
     context "when there have been previous deactivations" do
@@ -283,12 +291,18 @@ RSpec.describe Scheme, type: :model do
         expect(scheme.status).to eq(:reactivating_soon)
       end
 
-      it "returns if the scheme had a deactivation during another deactivation" do
+      it "returns reactivating soon if the scheme had a deactivation during another deactivation" do
         Timecop.freeze(2022, 6, 4)
         FactoryBot.create(:scheme_deactivation_period, deactivation_date: Time.zone.local(2022, 5, 5), reactivation_date: Time.zone.local(2022, 6, 2), scheme:)
         scheme.save!
         expect(scheme.status).to eq(:reactivating_soon)
       end
+
+      it "returns activating soon if the scheme has a future startdate" do
+        scheme.startdate = Time.zone.local(2022, 7, 7)
+        scheme.save!
+        expect(scheme.status).to eq(:activating_soon)
+      end
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/spec/models/validations/setup_validations_spec.rb b/spec/models/validations/setup_validations_spec.rb
index 2a05ecb77..763bf89b9 100644
--- a/spec/models/validations/setup_validations_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/validations/setup_validations_spec.rb
@@ -17,12 +17,14 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
         it "cannot be before the first collection window start date" do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2021, 1, 1)
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date within the 21/22 or 22/23 collection years, which is between 1st April 2021 and 31st March 2023")
         end
 
         it "cannot be after the second collection window end date" do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 7, 1, 6)
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date within the 21/22 or 22/23 collection years, which is between 1st April 2021 and 31st March 2023")
         end
       end
@@ -36,12 +38,14 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
         it "cannot be before the first collection window start date" do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2022, 1, 1)
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date within the 22/23 collection year, which is between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023")
         end
 
         it "cannot be after the second collection window end date" do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 7, 1, 6)
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date within the 22/23 collection year, which is between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023")
         end
       end
@@ -57,12 +61,14 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
         it "cannot be before the first collection window start date" do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2022, 1, 1)
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date within the 22/23 or 23/24 collection years, which is between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2024")
         end
 
         it "cannot be after the second collection window end date" do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2024, 7, 1, 6)
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date within the 22/23 or 23/24 collection years, which is between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2024")
         end
       end
@@ -76,12 +82,14 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
         it "cannot be before the first collection window start date" do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 1, 1)
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date within the 23/24 collection year, which is between 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024")
         end
 
         it "cannot be after the second collection window end date" do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2024, 7, 1, 6)
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date within the 23/24 collection year, which is between 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024")
         end
       end
@@ -95,6 +103,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.update!(startdate: nil)
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 1, 1)
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date within the 23/24 collection year, which is between 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024")
         end
 
@@ -103,6 +112,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.save!(validate: false)
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 1, 1)
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).not_to include(match "Enter a date within the 23/24 collection year, which is between 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024")
         end
       end
@@ -116,6 +126,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.update!(startdate: nil)
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 1, 1)
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date within the 23/24 collection year, which is between 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024")
         end
 
@@ -124,6 +135,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.save!(validate: false)
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 1, 1)
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date within the 23/24 collection year, which is between 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024")
         end
       end
@@ -151,6 +163,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 3, 1)
           record.owning_organisation_id = merged_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date when the owning organisation was active. Merged org became inactive on 2 February 2023 and was replaced by Absorbing org.")
         end
 
@@ -158,6 +171,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 1, 1)
           record.owning_organisation_id = merged_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to be_empty
         end
       end
@@ -167,6 +181,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 1, 1)
           record.owning_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date when the owning organisation was active. Absorbing org became active on 1 February 2023.")
         end
 
@@ -174,6 +189,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 2, 2)
           record.owning_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to be_empty
         end
 
@@ -182,6 +198,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           absorbing_organisation.update!(available_from: nil)
           record.owning_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to be_empty
         end
       end
@@ -191,6 +208,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 3, 1)
           record.managing_organisation_id = merged_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date when the managing organisation was active. Merged org became inactive on 2 February 2023 and was replaced by Absorbing org.")
         end
 
@@ -198,6 +216,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 1, 1)
           record.managing_organisation_id = merged_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to be_empty
         end
       end
@@ -207,6 +226,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 1, 1)
           record.managing_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date when the managing organisation was active. Absorbing org became active on 1 February 2023.")
         end
 
@@ -214,6 +234,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.startdate = Time.zone.local(2023, 2, 2)
           record.managing_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to be_empty
         end
 
@@ -222,6 +243,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           absorbing_organisation.update!(available_from: nil)
           record.managing_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to be_empty
         end
       end
@@ -232,6 +254,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.managing_organisation_id = merged_organisation.id
           record.owning_organisation_id = merged_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date when the owning and managing organisation was active. Merged org became inactive on 2 February 2023 and was replaced by Absorbing org.")
         end
 
@@ -240,6 +263,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.managing_organisation_id = merged_organisation.id
           record.owning_organisation_id = merged_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to be_empty
         end
       end
@@ -250,6 +274,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.managing_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           record.owning_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date when the owning and managing organisation was active. Absorbing org became active on 1 February 2023.")
         end
 
@@ -258,6 +283,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.managing_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           record.owning_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to be_empty
         end
 
@@ -267,6 +293,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.managing_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           record.owning_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to be_empty
         end
       end
@@ -277,6 +304,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.managing_organisation_id = merged_organisation.id
           record.owning_organisation_id = merged_organisation_2.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date when the owning and managing organisations were active. Merged org 2 and Merged org became inactive on 2 February 2023 and were replaced by Absorbing org.")
         end
 
@@ -285,6 +313,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.managing_organisation_id = merged_organisation.id
           record.owning_organisation_id = merged_organisation_2.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to be_empty
         end
       end
@@ -299,6 +328,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.managing_organisation_id = merged_organisation.id
           record.owning_organisation_id = merged_organisation_2.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date when the owning and managing organisations were active. Merged org 2 became inactive on 2 February 2023 and was replaced by Absorbing org 2. Merged org became inactive on 2 February 2023 and was replaced by Absorbing org.")
         end
 
@@ -307,6 +337,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.managing_organisation_id = merged_organisation.id
           record.owning_organisation_id = merged_organisation_2.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to be_empty
         end
       end
@@ -321,6 +352,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.managing_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           record.owning_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation_2.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to include(match "Enter a date when the owning and managing organisations were active. Absorbing org 2 became active on 1 February 2023, and Absorbing org became active on 1 February 2023.")
         end
 
@@ -329,6 +361,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.managing_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           record.owning_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to be_empty
         end
 
@@ -338,6 +371,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
           record.managing_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           record.owning_organisation_id = absorbing_organisation.id
           setup_validator.validate_startdate_setup(record)
+          setup_validator.validate_merged_organisations_start_date(record)
           expect(record.errors["startdate"]).to be_empty
         end
       end
diff --git a/spec/services/bulk_upload/lettings/year2023/row_parser_spec.rb b/spec/services/bulk_upload/lettings/year2023/row_parser_spec.rb
index 86e45ca2d..af713d29b 100644
--- a/spec/services/bulk_upload/lettings/year2023/row_parser_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/services/bulk_upload/lettings/year2023/row_parser_spec.rb
@@ -1384,6 +1384,28 @@ RSpec.describe BulkUpload::Lettings::Year2023::RowParser do
           expect(parser).to be_block_log_creation
         end
       end
+
+      context "when user's org has absorbed owning organisation" do
+        let(:merged_org) { create(:organisation, :with_old_visible_id, holds_own_stock: true) }
+        let(:merged_org_stock_owner) { create(:organisation, :with_old_visible_id, holds_own_stock: true) }
+
+        let(:attributes) { { bulk_upload:, field_1: merged_org_stock_owner.old_visible_id, field_2: merged_org.old_visible_id, field_3: user.email } }
+
+        before do
+          create(:organisation_relationship, parent_organisation: merged_org_stock_owner, child_organisation: merged_org)
+          merged_org.update!(absorbing_organisation: user.organisation, merge_date: Time.zone.today)
+          merged_org.reload
+          user.organisation.reload
+        end
+
+        it "is permitted" do
+          parser = described_class.new(attributes)
+
+          parser.valid?
+          expect(parser.errors.where(:field_1)).not_to be_present
+          expect(parser.errors.where(:field_3)).not_to be_present
+        end
+      end
     end
 
     describe "#field_2" do # managing org
diff --git a/spec/services/bulk_upload/sales/year2023/row_parser_spec.rb b/spec/services/bulk_upload/sales/year2023/row_parser_spec.rb
index 0745274fc..408ce099b 100644
--- a/spec/services/bulk_upload/sales/year2023/row_parser_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/services/bulk_upload/sales/year2023/row_parser_spec.rb
@@ -417,6 +417,46 @@ RSpec.describe BulkUpload::Sales::Year2023::RowParser do
           expect(parser).to be_block_log_creation
         end
       end
+
+      context "when user's org has absorbed owning organisation with stock owners" do
+        let(:merged_org) { create(:organisation, :with_old_visible_id, holds_own_stock: true) }
+        let(:merged_org_stock_owner) { create(:organisation, :with_old_visible_id, holds_own_stock: true) }
+
+        let(:attributes) { { bulk_upload:, field_1: merged_org_stock_owner.old_visible_id } }
+
+        before do
+          create(:organisation_relationship, parent_organisation: merged_org_stock_owner, child_organisation: merged_org)
+          merged_org.update!(absorbing_organisation: user.organisation, merge_date: Time.zone.today)
+          merged_org.reload
+          user.organisation.reload
+        end
+
+        it "is permitted" do
+          parser.valid?
+          expect(parser.errors.where(:field_1)).not_to be_present
+        end
+      end
+
+      context "when user's org has absorbed owning organisation" do
+        let(:merged_org) { create(:organisation, :with_old_visible_id, holds_own_stock: true) }
+
+        let(:attributes) { { bulk_upload:, field_1: merged_org.old_visible_id, field_2: user.email } }
+
+        before do
+          merged_org.update!(absorbing_organisation: user.organisation, merge_date: Time.zone.today)
+          merged_org.reload
+          user.organisation.reload
+          user.reload
+        end
+
+        it "is permitted" do
+          parser = described_class.new(attributes)
+
+          parser.valid?
+          expect(parser.errors.where(:field_1)).not_to be_present
+          expect(parser.errors.where(:field_2)).not_to be_present
+        end
+      end
     end
 
     describe "#field_2" do # username for created_by
diff --git a/spec/services/merge/merge_organisations_service_spec.rb b/spec/services/merge/merge_organisations_service_spec.rb
index b6168d57a..5f2cf5e83 100644
--- a/spec/services/merge/merge_organisations_service_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/services/merge/merge_organisations_service_spec.rb
@@ -318,21 +318,31 @@ RSpec.describe Merge::MergeOrganisationsService do
             create(:lettings_log, startdate: Time.zone.tomorrow, managing_organisation: merging_organisation)
           end
 
-          it "combines organisation schemes and locations" do
-            expect(Rails.logger).to receive(:info).with("Merged users from fake org:")
-            expect(Rails.logger).to receive(:info).with("\tDanny Rojas (#{merging_organisation.data_protection_officers.first.email})")
-            expect(Rails.logger).to receive(:info).with("\tfake name (fake@email.com)")
-            expect(Rails.logger).to receive(:info).with("New schemes from fake org:")
-            expect(Rails.logger).to receive(:info).with(/\t#{scheme.service_name} \(S/)
-            merge_organisations_service.call
-
-            absorbing_organisation.reload
-            expect(absorbing_organisation.owned_schemes.count).to eq(1)
-            expect(absorbing_organisation.owned_schemes.first.service_name).to eq(scheme.service_name)
-            expect(absorbing_organisation.owned_schemes.first.locations.count).to eq(1)
-            expect(absorbing_organisation.owned_schemes.first.locations.first.postcode).to eq(location.postcode)
-            expect(scheme.scheme_deactivation_periods.count).to eq(1)
-            expect(scheme.scheme_deactivation_periods.first.deactivation_date.to_date).to eq(Time.zone.yesterday)
+          context "with multiple locations" do
+            let!(:location_without_startdate) { create(:location, scheme:, startdate: nil) }
+            let!(:location_with_past_startdate) { create(:location, scheme:, startdate: Time.zone.today - 2.months) }
+            let!(:location_with_future_startdate) { create(:location, scheme:, startdate: Time.zone.today + 2.months) }
+
+            it "combines organisation schemes and locations" do
+              expect(Rails.logger).to receive(:info).with("Merged users from fake org:")
+              expect(Rails.logger).to receive(:info).with("\tDanny Rojas (#{merging_organisation.data_protection_officers.first.email})")
+              expect(Rails.logger).to receive(:info).with("\tfake name (fake@email.com)")
+              expect(Rails.logger).to receive(:info).with("New schemes from fake org:")
+              expect(Rails.logger).to receive(:info).with(/\t#{scheme.service_name} \(S/)
+              merge_organisations_service.call
+
+              absorbing_organisation.reload
+              expect(absorbing_organisation.owned_schemes.count).to eq(1)
+              expect(absorbing_organisation.owned_schemes.first.service_name).to eq(scheme.service_name)
+              expect(absorbing_organisation.owned_schemes.first.startdate).to eq(Time.zone.yesterday)
+              expect(absorbing_organisation.owned_schemes.first.locations.count).to eq(4)
+              expect(absorbing_organisation.owned_schemes.first.locations.map(&:postcode)).to match_array([location, location_without_startdate, location_with_past_startdate, location_with_future_startdate].map(&:postcode))
+              expect(absorbing_organisation.owned_schemes.first.locations.find_by(postcode: location_without_startdate.postcode).startdate).to eq(Time.zone.yesterday)
+              expect(absorbing_organisation.owned_schemes.first.locations.find_by(postcode: location_with_past_startdate.postcode).startdate).to eq(Time.zone.yesterday)
+              expect(absorbing_organisation.owned_schemes.first.locations.find_by(postcode: location_with_future_startdate.postcode).startdate).to eq(Time.zone.today + 2.months)
+              expect(scheme.scheme_deactivation_periods.count).to eq(1)
+              expect(scheme.scheme_deactivation_periods.first.deactivation_date.to_date).to eq(Time.zone.yesterday)
+            end
           end
 
           it "moves relevant logs and assigns the new scheme" do