Preventing homelessness and strengthening tenants’ rights.
New legislation which aims to keep people in their homes and help
prevent homelessness has been published.
The Housing (Scotland) Bill 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.
The Bill will outline proposals for a New Deal for Tenants, a key
part of the Bute House Agreement between the Scottish Government
and the Scottish Green Party.
Proposals include long term rent controls for private tenancies,
new rights to keep pets, decorate rented homes and stronger
protection against eviction.
Housing Minister and Tenants’ Rights Minister
will lead the Bill’s passage
through Parliament.
Mr McLennan said:
“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.
“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.”
Mr Harvie said:
“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.
“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. So progressive reform can lead to
better conditions and a healthy rented sector overall. I want to
keep working with both tenants and landlords to achieve that
goal.”
Background
The Housing (Scotland)
Bill was informed by three public consultations and will
now by scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament.
Housing Bill Policy
Memorandum
