GLC's launches draft Housing (Scotland) Bill to meet the needs and aspirations of Scots

Govan Law Centre (GLC) believes that in the 21st century it is time to strengthen and improve the rights of tenants (in both the social and private rented sectors), and the rights of homeless Scots and Scottish gyspy-travellers; it is not a time to undermine, weaken or remove the rights of people in Scotland.

We understand the Scottish Government may be introducing a new Housing (Scotland) Bill in the near future. Here is what we would like to see in that Bill. We believe our recommendations can meet the needs and aspirations of Scots, and make a positive and meaningful difference to the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people.

We would like to hear your thoughts and views on our ideas, and you can either leave a comment below or e-mail us on m@ govanlc.com with your feedback. We have set out examples below of what we think Scotland needs to see in a forthcoming Housing (Scotland) Bill.

Govan Law Centre’s proposed future Housing (Scotland) Bill

[1] Statement on the abolition of the eviction of Scottish secure tenants - the Scottish Ministers must by 31st December 2015, prepare and publish a statement setting out the measures which social landlords have taken, are taking, and intend to take for the purpose of abolishing eviction for rent arrears in Scotland, and the statement must specify a target date for abolition (which must be no later than 31 December 2018 for the achievement of that purpose, and must also specify interim objectives towards the achievement of that purpose);

[2] A new duty on the Scottish Ministers to develop and implement a national prevention of homelessness strategy;

[3] A new duty on Scottish local authorities (amending section 11 of the Homelessness etc., (Scotland) Act 2003) to provide access to a range of free co-ordinated services, including independent legal advice and representation, money advice, welfare benefits advice and social care services to prevent people facing eviction or repossession becoming homeless; and for local authorities to provide or facilitate dedicated tenancy sustainment protection officers in their localities;

[4] An amendment to section 16 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 to prevent tenants of registered social landlords from being evicted due to the non-payment of the bedroom tax;

[5] To extend the landlord’s Pre-Action Requirement obligations to help tenants in rent arrears after the Notice of Proceeding for Recovery of Possession is served and not just before; and to require social landlords to provide such advice and assistance to enable unbanked tenants in receipt of the Universal Credit obtain access to appropriate banking services;

[6] To introduce a new system of regulation for fair rents in the private rented sector;

[7] To introduce a new form of Scottish secure tenancy for gypsy-travellers in Scotland;

[8] To amend section 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 to enable local authorities to request registered social landlord to provide interim or temporary accommodation to those homeless persons to whom the local authority owes a duty under section 31(2) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987.