Housing Bill on the Horizon with a Leadership Race still to Be Won

Patrick Harvie said in January he would seek to extend the cost of living legislation that includes Scotland’s rent cap and moratorium on evictions. Following the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee’s scrutiny of the proposals to amend the Cost of Living Act, and a majority vote, the Scottish Parliament passed the amended regulations on …

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Why Rent Controls Are Not the Answer

In the current economic climate, it’s probably not unreasonable for a tenant who is renting their home in the private market to think that Government controls on how much rent they should pay is a good thing: capped rents equal improved affordability. But it’s a more complex issue than that. Rents have been rising over …

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Lets Talk with Rory Cowan

Partner at Bannatyne, Kirkwood, France & Co (BKF & Co) Rory Cowan, features on episode 55 of Lets Talk. Rory talks about the history of the company and the services that they specialise in, as well as what led him to focus on practising property law. With all the changes in private rented sector legislation …

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Consultation on New Deal for Tenants Opens to Public

The Scottish Government has published a consultation paper on a new deal for tenants which aims to deliver stronger tenants’ rights, greater protection against eviction and access to higher quality, more affordable and greener housing. The new policies, outlined in the Draft Rented Sector Strategy, are intended to help shape a fairer rented sector that …

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More Help for Scottish Tenants in Arrears Due to Covid?

A debate in the Scottish Parliament has been had, during which First Minister Nicola Sturgeon promised to consider offering more help to tenants who have been hit by the pandemic and fallen into rent arrears as a result. Earlier in the year, in June 2021, the Scottish Government announced the £10 million grant fund, in …

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Lets Talk with Daryl McIntosh

There is more change again planned for the future of the Scottish PRS landscape. Since the May election, the SNP has introduced the ‘Housing to 2040 document’, as well as made an agreement with the Greens to deliver what they call ‘a new deal for tenants’ as part of the ‘Rented Sector Strategy’. Policy and …

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