War on landlords (cont.) Now tenants get right to keep a pet and redecorate
TENANTS will have the legal right to keep pets and redecorate private landlords’ homes under controversial new SNP/ Green laws.
In the latest blow to owners of private lets, the Housing (Scotland) Bill will mean they cannot refuse ‘reasonable’ requests for tenants to keep animals or make changes to a property, such as painting walls.
In a move industry leaders fear will see more private landlords leave the sector, the Bill also proposes the introduction of rent control areas, capping how much can be charged.
Published yesterday, the legislation states rent rises would be capped during, and between, tenancies.
It comes after ministers were warned that thousands of properties have vanished from the rental market amid growing ‘anti-landlord rhetoric’ from the Scottish Government
Ministers say the policy will create a ‘fairer’ housing sector, resulting in fewer people reaching the point of homelessness.
But the Bill is already facing a backlash from landlords who insist it will ‘do nothing’ to improve the private rented sector for them or tenants.
John Blackwood, chief executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords, said: ‘The rent control proposals, as has been seen in places like Ireland which has similar measures, will see reduced investment and more landlords leaving the sector, leading to higher costs for tenants.
‘The effects of Scottish Government policies in the private rented sector are already being felt, with rising costs reducing supply and placing more pressure on council and housing association properties.’
Scottish Property Federation director David Melhuish said the Bill comes just 24 hours after the Scottish Government released statistics showing a significant fall in new home starts.
He said ‘every effort must be made to address the supply crisis by building more homes of all tenures’.
Mr Melhuish added: ‘There is no solution to the housing crisis that does not involve greatly increasing the supply of new homes for sale and rent. This Bill will be a disappointment to those seeking to build new rental homes in Scotland.’
He said investors ‘will remain uncertain of what the future rent control system will look like until potentially late 2026’.
Scottish Conservative housing spokesman Miles Briggs said the proposals fall ‘far short’ of what is needed to tackle Scotland’s housing emergency, adding: ‘Homelessness levels have soared and a record number of families are living in temporary accommodation. Nothing in this Bill will help to address those issues.’
Mark Griffin, Scottish Labour’s housing spokesman, said: ‘Scotland is in the grip of a housing crisis, with new housing association
‘Reduced investment’ ‘Slowest rate since Thatcher’
properties being produced at the slowest rate since Margaret Thatcher.’
Defending the Bill, tenants’ rights minister Patrick Harvie said ‘a fairer, wellregulated rented sector is good for both tenants and landlords’. He said: ‘Tenants benefit from improved conditions and security, while good responsible landlords will thrive when their good practice is recognised by regulation.’
IT’S starting to look like the Scottish Government’s desire to interfere in the lives of citizens is pathological.
No matter the issue – whether it’s how Scots raise their children or what people say in the privacy of their own homes – the ruling SNP-Green partnership can be depended upon to turn to the law.
The latest example of Scotland’s politicians meddling where they have no business comes with plans to legally restrict how landlords operate their businesses.
Amid the cost of living crisis, a proposal to create rent control areas might seem appealing. But the truth is such a measure would see landlords turn to the short-term let market to protect their profits.
After 17 years of Nationalist government, Scotland faces serious social challenges. The solution is better, more thoughtful policymaking, not the heavy-handed punishment of those who’ve invested their money in the property market.
The instinct of the SNP-Green coalition to turn to legislation to solve complex problems reveals the intellectual vacuum at the heart of government.