Views sought on Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill

The objective of the bill is to replace the Short Assured Tenancy and Assured Tenancy by introducing a new single tenancy for the private rented sector which the Scottish government considers will improve security of tenure for tenants and provide appropriate safeguards for landlords, lenders and investors.

The bill also intends to provide tenants with protection against excessive rent increases and provide rent predictability, including the ability for ministers to introduce caps on rent increases for sitting tenants in “rent pressure zones”.

Calling on interested organisations and individuals to give their views on the proposed legislation, committee convener Jim Eadie MSP said: “The issue of housing has been the subject of much political debate in recent times.

“Whether it is the provision of affordable housing or protection for tenants, these are issues that affect individuals, families and communities right across Scotland.

“The Scottish government’s two consultations in advance of the bill have allowed it to propose legislation that it believes can deliver improvements in the private rented housing sector. It is now the job of the committee to scrutinise the proposed legislation, taking into account the views of those who would be affected and those with an interest in this area.

“We look forward to receiving written evidence from all interested individuals and organisations and to considering whether this bill will deliver the aims the Scottish government has for it.”

The Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee expects to consider written submissions and to take oral evidence between October 2015 and December 2015 before reporting on the bill’s general principles in early to mid-January 2016.

The formal call for evidence can be found here.