
March 19, 2025
In April this year I issued a blog discussing the introduction by the Scottish Parliament of the Housing (Scotland) Bill (the “Bill”). The proposed Bill is aimed at bringing about long-term rent controls and tenant protections to the Scottish Private rented sector ultimately strengthening the rights of tenants and preventing homelessness.
On 28 November, 83 MSPs voted for the Bill and 31 voted against it (with 4 abstentions). The Bill will now advance onto Stage 2 of Parliament’s law making process which will be the committee stage.
Providing comment on the Bill passing its first stage of scrutiny, Housing Minister Paul McLennan said:
“The Housing (Scotland) Bill will play an important role in helping to tackle poverty by keeping rents affordable and ensuring people can stay in their homes.
“Ensuring everyone has the right to a safe and stable home is essential to the Scottish Government’s priority of ending child poverty and the Bill will play a role in reaching that goal.
“Scotland has led the way in protecting tenants and providing rights for homeless people. The Housing (Scotland) Bill aims to create a rental system that improves the rights of tenants while maintaining investment and provides greater support for people threatened with homelessness.
“I am pleased Parliament has supported the general principles of the legislation, especially on our proposals for a system of rent controls that keep costs lower for tenants.”
Two further stages of parliamentary examination of the Bill will be required before the Bill becomes law. Any of the above highlights may well be amended or removed during his time. The new measures are not likely to come into force any earlier than 2026.
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Scott Runciman Associate, Debt Recovery | ||||
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Scott is an Associate in our debt recovery team. He has a wealth of experience in the process of recovering debt and the enforcement of court judgements having worked with Sheriff Officers and Messengers-at-Arms early in his career. He has specialised in the field since 2016 when he qualified as a Scottish Solicitor and Notary Public.