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Scotland could become rent controlled areas as part of ambitious plans to help tenants. The Scottish Government has today published its latest Housing Bill which will place a duty on councils to carry out assessments on the state of the private rented sector in their area. Those reports could then lead to recommendations to ministers about the imposition of rent controls in certain places. The legislation also proposes that rent rises would be capped during and in between tenancies. But housing charities warned the reforms failed to address the underlying issues driving Scotland's housing emergency . Shelter said there was not a realistic prospect of councils being able to fulfil new statutory obligations given that local authorities were regularly failing to meet their existing legal duties. The Bill also proposes putting more duties on public authorities – including councils, the
police and the health service – to ensure people do not become homeless. Read More Related Articles Humza Yousaf 'a commentator not a leader' warns ex-MSP as First Minister marks one year in top
Job Read More Related Articles More expensive alcohol in Scotland a step closer after Holyrood committee declares support They would be required to inquire about the housing circumstances of those they interact with and provide support or refer them to their local authority, which will be required to act six months before homelessness is imminent, instead of the current two months. Tenants’ rights minister Patrick 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. “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.” Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, said: “We strongly welcome publication of the Housing Bill, and confirmation the new legislation will include measures to prevent homelessness from happening in the first place. “If implemented properly, these plans hold the potential to create a truly world-leading homelessness system, but to be effective, they need to be properly resourced. “Everyone should have a safe, secure place to live. Yet we know all too often, people are only able to access support when it’s too late." Alison Watson, Shelter Scotland director, Alison Watson, said: "There is a growing consensus that Scotland is in the grip of a housing emergency. Already four local authorities have declared housing emergencies, with more expected to follow in the coming weeks. "Today’s housing bill was an opportunity to address the causes of that emergency and end the scandal of 10,000 children trapped in temporary accommodation. "What we need is urgent action to drive up the supply of social homes, investment in local services and stop councils
BREAKING existing homelessness laws. "Instead, we have a Housing Bill that does none of that and risks diverting frontline staff from the task in hand. By proposing new additional duties on councils already failing to deliver existing laws, we run the risk of making the situation worse. "It is time for Scottish ministers to listen to what our communities are telling them – declare a housing emergency and bring forward a new plan to deliver the social homes we need." Scottish politics Health boards blow millions on taxis
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protests SNP lost thousands of members in 2023 Matheson urged to reject pay-out John Blackwood, Chief Executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords, said: "Despite the hype and promises from the Scottish Government, it seems these proposals will do nothing to help either tenants or landlords in the private rented sector. "The rent control proposals, as has been seen in places like
Ireland which has similar measures, will see reduced investment and more landlords leaving the sector, leading to higher costs for tenants." To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here . Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow Daily Record
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