The Scottish Government has launched a consultation for tenants.

“This is an ambitious strategy, and it offers the chance to mend many aspects of a housing system that is currently failing thousands. We are excited to work with the Scottish Government to develop these ideas and build a better future for housing in Scotland.”

Alison Watson, Director of Shelter Scotland

The key points are:

• increasing penalties for illegal evictions and stronger enforcement
• restricting evictions during winter
• giving tenants greater flexibility to personalise their homes and keep pets
• developing a national system of rent controls for the private rented sector
• introducing a new Housing Standard to apply to all homes
• establishing a private rented sector regulator to uphold these standards and ensure the system is fair for both landlords and tenants
• setting minimum standards for energy efficiency, making homes cheaper to heat while contributing to Scotland’s climate change targets

The consultation closes on 15 April 2022.

You can submit a response at any time before the closing date. To give us your views, please access and respond to this consultation online at: https://consult.gov.scot/housing-and-social-justice/draft-rented-sector-strategy.

There are no restrictions on who can respond to the consultation. You can save and return to your responses while the consultation is still open. Please ensure that consultation responses are submitted before the closing date.

There are details in the consultation paper if you wish to send in a paper copy.

Private Housing Services and Legislation Team
4th Floor,
4 Atlantic Quay
150 Broomielaw
Glasgow G2 8LU
Or email to: rentedstrategyconsultation@gov.scot

Sally Thomas, Chief Executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), said: 

“We welcome the Scottish Government’s ambition that all tenants should have access to secure, good quality, affordable homes. We are also pleased the government has acknowledged the unique role housing associations have in delivering these outcomes to people right across Scotland.   

“Fairness, quality and affordability are at the heart of the social housing sector, with our homes built to the highest standards, and tenants regularly engaged in important decisions.  

“This consultation provides an opportunity to inform and shape the detail behind these important principles, not least to provide a clearer definition of affordability. SFHA and our members look forward to working with Scottish Government over the coming months to do this.”