Farmers’ longterm lets worry
A leading rural organisation is warning the new housing bill introduced into the Scottish Parliament ‘appears to compound the mistakes that have led to a crash in the number of properties available to rent in rural areas’.
The bill reforms provision for people threatened with homelessness up to six months ahead and includes long term rent controls for private tenancies, new rights to keep pets, decorate rented homes and stronger protection against eviction.
Farmers and land managers who have diversified into offering long-term lets in existing on-farm or converted buildings will be affected by the legislation.
Green minister Patrick Harvie said: “A fairer, wellregulated 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.”
However, Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) policy adviser Anna Gardiner said: “The Scottish Government had an opportunity to work with both landlords and tenants to attempt to return confidence to the private rented sector - and thereby improve how things work for both groups.
“Instead, the new legislation appears to compound the mistakes that have led to a crash in the number of properties available to rent in rural areas, and tenants being unable to find accommodation to suit their needs. The lack of available housing, particularly in the rented sector, is a key driver of rural depopulation.
“This bill provided an opportunity to tackle this, but instead, the Scottish Government has chosen, once again, to force failed solutions to urban problems on rural communities, with no thought for the consequences.
“The new bill also appears to further complicate the eviction process. Good tenants are valued by landlords and tenants are seldom asked to leave a
property without good reason.
“However, by the government skewing the balance of rights even further in favour of tenants, it will bring anxiety to landlords about their ability to regain vacant possession if required.
“Most importantly, the Bill does nothing to encourage the building of new homes at a time when the government’s own data underlines how few homes are being built.”
Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie warned that the Scottish
Government ‘is trying to resolve one problem, there is a real risk that the legislation exacerbates many others and does nothing to make things better for communities’.
Scottish Labour housing spokesperson Mark Griffin said the bill is ‘half backed’ and ‘slow to help renters and has done nothing to properly encourage affordable home building’.
Scot Gov housing minister Paul McLennan defended the legislation. He said: “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.”
The bill was lodged as the latest Scottish Government housing statistics show a fall in housebuilding.
Scottish Tory housing spokesperson Miles Briggs called for rural and island areas to have permitted development rights for between one and five houses for farms and rural businesses.