Permanent rent controls to be in new bill
THE Scottish Government has published new legislation looking to prevent homelessness and bring in permanent rent controls.
The Housing (Scotland) Bill will outline proposals for a New Deal for Tenants, a key part of the Bute House Agreement between the SNP and the Scottish Greens – and will now by scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament.
Proposals include long-term rent controls for private tenancies, new rights to keep pets, decorate rented homes and stronger protection against eviction.
The legislation will introduce an “ask and act” duty on social landlords and bodies – such as health boards and the police – to ask about a person’s housing situation and act to avoid them becoming homeless wherever possible.
It also reforms provision for people threatened with homelessness up to six months ahead and includes provisions for tenants experiencing domestic abuse.
Housing Minister Paul McLennan said that Scotland “already has the strongest rights” in the UK for people who become homeless.
“But nobody should have to experience the trauma and disruption of losing their home,” he added.
“Early action, through the kinds of measures included in the Housing Bill, results in fewer people reaching the point of housing crisis.
“It also means people facing homelessness have more choice and control over where they live, helping them to maintain relationships in their community and stay in work.”
Minister for Tenants’ Rights Patrick Harvie said that a “fairer, well-regulated” rented sector is “good for both tenants and landlords”.
“Tenants benefit from improved conditions and security, while good responsible landlords will thrive when their good practice is recognised by regulation,” the Scottish Greens co-leader added.
“Scotland has led the way across the UK in improving the experience of people who rent their homes and this reform has been at the same time as significant growth in the size of the private rented sector.”
Aditi Jehangir, secretary of tenants union Living Rent, said the bill was a “huge step forward” for tenants during a housing crisis.
“It includes key measures that we have been fighting for such as rent controls that apply between tenancy, the ability to cap increases at 0%, rights for joint tenants to leave and the right to have pets and redecorate,” she said.
“If passed, these will have a huge impact on tenants’ lives, ensuring that we have homes that we can actually call ours.
“But we know the landlord lobby will try to water down the bill at every step.
“Our representatives need to stand up for tenants and bring in robust rent controls that both improve housing quality and ensure homes in Scotland are affordable.”