As you’ll have seen in our previous update,  SFHA is continuing work with both parliamentary committees and MSPs to influence various parts of the Housing Bill. Last week we also gave evidence to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on building safety and maintenance. 

On the Bill, we worked with partners on a range of amendments to improve homelessness prevention which have been accepted as government amendments, an exemption for Mid-Market Rent (MMR) homes from private rent control provisions has been lodged and we are now seeking some changes to this to make sure it encompasses all providers that members need it to. We are also seeking amendments on proposals to restrict rent increases in the first 12 months of a tenancy and working to remove this requirement for RSLs.  

Alongside this, we’re working to slightly change amendments on an independent appeals process. Following our evidence to the Local Government, Housing and Planning (LGHP) Committee in Dec 2024, an amendment was put forward but we feel this needs more clearly defined.  

Susie Fitton, SFHA Policy Manager, appeared before the Committee on 25th March to discuss RAAC as well as damp and mould. She set out that housing associations have clear standards and timescales on damp and mould and take it very seriously,  constantly looking for ways to encourage tenants to report issues and improve performance. On RAAC, she set out that comprehensive programmes of surveying and remediation are being taken out. However, the cost of this can be very significant.