SFHA responds to rented sector reform consultation
The SFHA has responded to the Scottish Government's questionnaire on rented sector reforms.
SFHA responded to the Scottish Government’s landlord and tenant engagement questionnaire on rented sector reform this week. This questionnaire is open to landlords and tenants in the private rented sector and social rented sector, and will inform the Scottish Government’s New Deal for Tenants.
Three of the seven proposals apply to the social rented sector:
Social housing tenants should have a right to request to keep a pet and not be unreasonably refused.
In the social sector, court should be required to consider whether it is reasonable to delay the enforcement of an eviction at any time of year. (with exemptions for cases of antisocial behaviour, criminal behaviour and domestic abuse).
Where domestic abuse financial control has had an impact on the arrears, social landlords would be required to fully consider further actions that could assist the victim-survivor before eviction action for rent could be taken in court.
SFHA agrees with the pet proposal, with additional considerations for sheltered and specialist supported housing models.
We have concerns about relevancy and impact of delays to eviction enforcement for the social sector, where preventative support is primary, and evictions are rare tools of last resort.
Whilst we support greater protection for women experiencing domestic abuse, we have some concerns that proposals to consider financial abuse in pre-action protocols may increase risk to victim/survivors.
SFHA’s full response can be viewed here.
The consultation closes tomorrow, 27 October and is available here: Landlord and Tenant Engagement questionnaire on rented sector reform.