Scottish Government draft strategy consultation published

The Scottish Government has today published ‘A New Deal for Tenants’ a draft strategy consultation paper with a view to publishing the final strategy by the end of 2022.

Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government says that the strategy “sets out how we will work with private and social landlords to outline a range of measurers to provide an accessible and affordable rented sector in Scotland.” Patrick Harvey MSP, Minister for Tenants’ Rights, hails the consultation as “an ambitious set of proposals for the phased implementation of a plan, over the next five years, to ensure that the rights and needs of people who rent homes in Scotland are met.”

John Blackwood, chief executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL), said: “Landlords and letting agents in Scotland have for a number of years been calling for certainty and strategic direction for the Scottish private rented sector. We welcome any move towards that. There has been a dramatic reduction in supply of private rented accommodation so we must hope this process will acknowledge the crucial role of landlords in providing safe, quality homes and encourage them to remain in the sector helping to prevent the shortages which have seen individuals, students and families alike unable to find a suitable home.”

SAL will be in touch with members in early 2022 on how to respond. The consultation is open until 15 April 2022.