Scottish government propose more rent controls in new proposals

Scottish government propose more rent controls in new proposals

0:01 AM, 3rd October 2023, About 7 months ago 18

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Landlords and tenants in Scotland are being urged to have their say in a consultation on a number of proposals including rent controls.

The Scottish government say the proposals aim to improve the way the private rented sector operates.

The consultation is open until the 29th October 2023.

Scottish ministers would have the final say on whether to propose rent controls

The Scottish government recently announced the extension of rent controls until March next year.

In the consultation, the Scottish government say local authorities could carry out an assessment to see whether rent controls are needed.

The proposal says: “The Scottish government propose that local authorities would be required to carry out an assessment of conditions in relation to rent in their area and make a recommendation about whether Scottish Ministers should impose rent controls in all or part of their area.

“There would be a mandatory requirement to re-assess rent conditions on a regular basis.”

The proposal adds: “Scottish Ministers would be the final decision maker about whether to impose rent control, taking account of the outcome of the assessment process.

“The introduction of a rent control area will be made through regulations which would be subject to Parliamentary approval. There would be a statutory requirement to consult the local authority and representatives of landlords and tenants before a rent control area can be introduced.”

Right to keep a pet

In other parts of the consultation, the Scottish government proposes that all tenants have the right to keep a pet.

The Scottish government said: “We want to give tenants in both the private and social rented sectors greater rights to have a pet.

“This would improve the renting experience for private and social housing tenants by giving them more control over having a pet supporting physical and mental health and wellbeing.”

The proposals say private and social tenants would need to make a written request to their landlord to keep a pet.

Landlords would only be able to refuse a request where it was reasonable to do so and would be required to give reasons for any refusal of permission and must respond in 30 working days.

Tick box exercise

John Blackwood, chief executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL), said the SNP and Green party are not interested in talking to landlords.

He said: “The Scottish Government has launched a ‘consultation’ on rented sector reform but fixed the questions to prevent any dissent or variation from pre-determined views.  This engagement questionnaire fails to allow landlords to note their objections to the policies proposed’.”

“Landlords have always sought to have a constructive conversation about solving Scotland’s housing crisis, but the SNP and Greens are clearly not interested in listening to the views of landlords and investors. They are fixed on their ideological view and policies that harm tenants and the whole of Scotland’s housing sector.”

He added: “The SNP and Greens clearly see this as a tick box exercise without allowing respondents to, at the very least, say they do not agree with a particular proposal.  Even with this politicalised process, they have failed to make any meaningful progress towards solving Scotland’s housing crisis preferring to drive landlords and investors out of Scotland and putting people’s homes at risk.”

Landlords in Scotland who would like to fill out the consultation can click here


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Comments

Mr.A

12:52 PM, 3rd October 2023, About 7 months ago

WHY would anyone new invest is the Scottish housing sector ?.
These rules and regulations are killing the Scottish housing market , I'm afraid this is just the middle of the end for private Landlords .
I've Sold all but 2 ,self managed new properties with no Hmo Clowncil interference.
They will also be sold if things don't improve for Landlord’s.
Time to Leave SCOOTLAND TO THE Scottish Clowns In the makes upee wee parliament with 5th rate clowns parading as ministers .
Feels like a great way for Westminster to destroy the Scottish economy by putting the SNP lunatics with the fascist Green tail wagging them in control.

moneymanager

13:04 PM, 3rd October 2023, About 7 months ago

Communists.

Morag

15:32 PM, 3rd October 2023, About 7 months ago

I have just completed this "consultation" to the best of my ability, but as John Blackwood says, the options you want to choose are simply not there, at best you are choosing the lesser of two evils. At the end, it states that individual responses will not be published, only those of organisations responding.
"Due to the large number of responses we expect to receive we plan to only publish organisational responses.
Individual responses will not be published."
I plan to send an email to the various relevant ministers with the answers I actually wanted to give to the consultation.
They're currently carrying out another "consultation" about proposed changes to EPC methodology. That'll be another joke.

ScotsLL

15:44 PM, 3rd October 2023, About 7 months ago

Absolutely agree. I started to complete the consultation but the questions are biased and do not allow for a genuine answer. I had to stop completing as it could not capture my true views - it did not ask for my views and only asked me to agree to a varying extent with their views. It is structured to be biased capturing against landlords actual concerns. I will go back to it (which a strong coffee!). An excellent idea to submit my responses to my MSP. Overall I am so gutted and frustrated with the Scottish government and can't wait for the next election. I hate being pushed out of my business (evicting amazing tenants) but the warning signs keep flashing alarmingly! I suspect this rubbish from Scot Gov is unsettling the tenants too as they have gone unusually incredibly quiet.

Michael Booth

15:49 PM, 3rd October 2023, About 7 months ago

Control, control, thats the socialist snp answer to all aspects of government and you get the same results lack of social housing and rent increase will these people never learn.the tenant is the one who suffers all the time .

Janet Carnochan

16:13 PM, 3rd October 2023, About 7 months ago

I've gave up trying to fill it in as there isn't an option for my view. As a landlord in Scotland at present I feel totally beaten. I can't evict anyone, ( that wasn't my intention at the moment ) however if any of my tenants decide to leave the house will NOT be relet but will be sold. I know of lots of other landlords in the same position. There is no incentive to invest or stay in the PRS in Scotland.

Neil Robb

16:15 PM, 3rd October 2023, About 7 months ago

Patrick Harvie came second last in his constituency. With just over 3200 votes

Lorna Slater got 1700

Ross Greer 800

Each of these green party MSP did not win the election .

The SNP needed them to prevent a hung Parliament .

So you have the greens controlling the SNP and wagging their tails

Mr.A

16:26 PM, 3rd October 2023, About 7 months ago

Its only a box ticking exercise this consultation.Democracy, dont make me cry . The way has already been set by the greens for them , it would be better if the snp had a majority and didn't have to pander to snivelling wee green tweedster Harvey and his fascists party .
Just Like in the weekly first Clown ministers questions ,Humza useless never listens just repeats his own flawed veiw again and again ,and again , afraid to upset the control freaks ,he'll not take any advice from anyone that differs from his views.
TIME TO LEAVE SCOTLAND UNFORTUNATELY.

kirklean

17:15 PM, 3rd October 2023, About 7 months ago

They're basically applying a 2nd charge by stealth because we'll have no control over our own properties.
Hopefully we can get rid of the unelected Greens in the first instance and eventually get rid of the SNP too

Lomondhomes

9:48 AM, 4th October 2023, About 7 months ago

I had it confirmed at a council meeting last night that Scottish Government will not be following Westminster but currently intends to adhere to "C" rating for EPC by 2025. Already started selling. This news confirms "I'm out"

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