Amendment 72: Housing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Amendment 72, in the name of Maggie Chapman, refers to the situation in which a tenant receives written notice of a rent increase from their landlord. The amendment would change the notice period from 21 to 30 days.
Amendment 73 refers to situations in which a tenant receives a rent increase and may apply to the tribunal for determination of whether the previous rent increase took place less than 12 months previously. However, they must first notify their landlord in writing of the reasons why they consider the rent increase to be unfair within 30 days of receiving the increase notice, rather than within 21 days. My question is this: how did Maggie Chapman arrive at 21 days as opposed to 30? What discussion took place between private rented sector stakeholders and tenant rights groups to ensure that such a period was proportionate and reasonable?
Amendments 34, 35 and 36, in the name of Maggie Chapman, would introduce increased penalties for landlords, which risk driving good landlords out of the sector. The continued cumulative burden of regulations and financial risks on the sector would lead to property sales and a reduction in the number of available rented homes. The impact would be felt most acutely by tenants, because their housing options would shrink and competition for remaining properties would increase. Rather than focusing on penal measures that would lead to a reduction in the number of rental properties, we should support enforcement for compliance and uphold standards without undermining supply.