Andy Wightman

Answer · Kevin Stewart · 10 Dec 2020

We are doing all we can to support tenants to remain in their homes whilst the pandemic continues to risk people’s health and have already taken a range of action to support this.
Given the relaxation of rules with regards to the mixing of households over the festive period - and the potential that this could lead to people needing to self-isolate safely, at home – the First Minister updated Parliament last week that the Scottish Government will take forward regulations to introduce a ban on the enforcement of eviction orders in both the private and social rented sectors from 11 December to 22 January. The only exceptions to this are the most serious circumstances such as antisocial or criminal behaviour, including domestic abuse.
This temporary action is in direct response to the continued need to protect public health during the challenging times that we continue to face.
We are also taking this step to support people’s mental health, in particular those families with children, to provide some stability and certainty for the festive period in what has been an unprecedented year for everyone. It is only right that - at a time when we are so close to taking the first major steps in combatting this virus - that we put in place additional measures to ensure tenants and our front line services, including health and housing services, are protected.
We do not take this unprecedented action lightly, we know the rights of tenants and landlords need to be balanced. Landlords too face uncertainty and financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic, which is why this action is time limited but we are in unprecedented times when unprecedented action is needed to protect people from the health, social and economic harms of the virus.
A copy of the SSI can be found here: The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Protection from Eviction) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (legislation.gov.uk)

Answer · Kevin Stewart · 2 Nov 2020

Following the changes to the tolerable standards, announced in March 2018, there was significant media coverage. The changes were further reported as they passed through Parliament, and the regularly updated online Q and A has been available since March 2018.
We have worked closely with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) who have continued to publicise the changes via themed social media campaigns, all linking to what the requirements mean for home owners.
Further information, literature and advice are also provided during SFRS’ Home Fire Safety Visits.

Answer · Kevin Stewart · 29 Sep 2020

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we prioritised preparing the statutory instruments for the licensing scheme and short-term let control areas so that they can be considered by the Scottish Parliament in this session and deferred the review of the tax treatment of short-term lets. We are now considering how to complete the review in light of the evolving COVID-19 situation.

Answer · Kevin Stewart · 16 Sep 2020

As of w/e 28 August there were
(a) 87 applications
(b) 37 offers
(c) 36 loans have been made
Of the applications not progressed to a loan offer, this is due to the applicant not being eligible for the loan or choosing not to continue the application process.

Answer · Kevin Stewart · 16 Sep 2020

As of 28 August there were 28 applications for properties that were occupied (tenants facing difficulty paying rent); 57 applications for void properties (inability to find a new tenant due to the impact of covid) and 2 applications where the rental property was occupied for part of the month (and subsequently void) .

Answer · Kevin Stewart · 17 Sep 2020

It is not possible to distinguish the data collected by Capita from that returned via the ScotXed system. The data collected by Capita was used to pre populate the database when it went live. Local Authority Building Standards departments then completed returns for all relevant buildings, either providing new information or verifying that the data collected by Capita was still accurate. In this way, the pre-population was intended to reduce burden on Local Authorities.