Background – A New Deal for Tenants
The Government are moving forward with rent control proposals, this includes controlling rents in between tenancies so properties will never be able to revert to the market rate. These proposals are part of the Scottish Government’s New Deal for Tenants, as set out in their Program for Government on 5th September 2023.
The Government consulted on draft proposals in 2021. It is their view that some form of permanent rent control should be brought forward, and this will happen with the forthcoming Housing Bill now being drafted and planned to be brought before Parliament in the spring of 2024.
The Government view is that much of the consultation has already taken place; that some form of continuing rent control is now an agreed policy and that they are now seeking views on what type of rent control to introduce.
The Scottish Association of Landlords have prepared a very good article on the proposals and have helpfully given guidance on how to answer the questions posed in the questionnaire. You can access their article here.
It is vitally important that as a provider of housing you have your opinions and voice heard on this very topical issue. Responses are required to be submitted by 27th October 2023 and therefore time is of the essence.
We will keep you appraised of developments as they occur, but in the meantime we would urge that you fill in the questionnaire, having reviewed the guidance notes. The questionnaire will take about 15/20 minutes to complete, we ask that you stick with it, as this is a very important change, which is imperative that we collectively respond to.
We will be providing some more detailed guidance directly to our housing providers very shortly.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.