Concerns raised over implementation of Housing (Scotland) Act
An independent group, setup by the Scottish Government to support Scottish Ministers in improving the regulatory environment for businesses, has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Housing to make recommendations about the implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025.
The Regulatory Review Group’s letter to the Cabinet Secretary included the following comments/recommendations:
- It is vital that implementation of different measures is taken forward in an ordered and sequenced manner;
- The Scottish Government should carefully monitor the impact of rent controls to ensure there is no significant impact on investment in the private rented sector, and also to ensure significant numbers of properties aren’t moved into the short term let sector to avoid being subject to rent controls;
- The landlord register requires significant improvement to fully assist local authorities in gathering data on the need for rent controls in the private rental sector;
- Thought should be given on exemptions from rent controls, and whether more exemptions should be considered than are currently planned;
- The enforcement of Awaab’s Law requires careful consideration, particularly to address who should pay to rectify damp and mould issues caused by faulty installation of insulation. The group also believes there may be cases where even good remedial action and mitigation may still not solve the problem, so consideration should be given to what happens in those cases.
The group’s letter to the Cabinet Secretary can be read in full here.
Not yet a member? Join SAL today and have your voice heard.
