Scottish Housing Bill passes as landlords face rent caps and pets policy changes

Scottish landlords could be forced to accept pets in rental properties and face rent controls.

During a debate, Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) voted to pass Stage 1 of the Scottish Housing bill.

The Scottish Housing Bill will allow renters to request permission to keep a pet in their home, and landlords will not be able to unreasonably refuse such requests. Tenants will also have the right to challenge decisions in court.

Under current laws, landlords in Scotland are not legally required to consider tenant requests to keep pets.

Other proposals include a national rent control system which will require local authorities to keep track of conditions in their local private rented sector (PRS), and advise ministers on whether to limit rent increases.

Scottish government looking at a pet CV

According to the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), seven out of 10 tenants would risk becoming homeless if they were no longer able to keep their pet in their current accommodation.

Housing Minister Paul McLennan says the Scottish Housing Bill will make it easier for tenants to request a pet.

He said: “Pets are an important part of the family for many people across Scotland. Tenants have the right to feel at home in rented accommodation and having more control over keeping a pet can play a big part in that and can have additional benefits for their mental health and wellbeing.”

Mr McLennan adds the Scottish government is looking at a pet CV which aims to provide detailed information about the animal to help ease landlords’ concerns and give them a better idea of how the pet will fit into the property.

He adds: “Effective guidance will be essential to the successful implementation of these measures as will ensuring landlords are provided with sufficient information to inform their decision to approve or refuse a pet request.

“We will work with tenants, landlords and animal welfare organisations to develop the guidance required including considering the role of a ‘pet CV’.

“In addition, provisions in the Bill provide Scottish Ministers with powers to set out further details that must be provided to the landlord in a request for keeping a pet.

“This will help to ensure that landlords have all the information they need to make a decision on a request. We will consult with tenants, landlords and other relevant groups in making use of this power.”

Rent controls are a failed experiment

The Scottish Housing Bill will also give local authorities the power to cap rent increases.

Mr McLennan said: “As part of the Housing (Scotland) Bill, which includes long-term rent controls, we aim to improve the lives of renters and foster a more affordable, high-quality, and fair private rented sector.

“The Bill also meets the Scottish government’s ambition to improve the renting experience in Scotland, whilst also encouraging landlords to invest.

“We will continue to work to create a system that strengthens renters’ rights and supports continued investment in the rental market.”

In a debate in the Scottish Parliament, Meghan Gallacher, Conservative MSP for Central Scotland, warned that rent controls won’t work and are a failed experiment.

She said: “Rent controls will stifle efforts to deliver more homes for Scotland.”

She quoted the Scottish Association of Landlords figure that 22,000 private rented sector homes have been lost in one year.

Willie Rennie, Liberal Democrat MSP for North East Fife, highlighted that investment in the private rented sector is shrinking as landlords exit the market. He argued that the government must take action to boost supply.

Reaction to Scottish Housing Bill

Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns, says rent controls will do more harm than good.

He said: “Rent controls are not the answer to tackle the housing emergency in Scotland. Increasing the supply of homes to rent, reducing landlord costs and removing the tax burden to buy a property to let will make renting more affordable for tenants.

“Furthermore, the proposals and details for rent control areas in the Bill are limited at best, and offer no clarity for existing agents working with landlords or for new would-be landlords thinking of entering the sector.

“Significant amendments to the legislation are needed if the Scottish government want to raise property standards and make renting more affordable. This must include removing the application of rent control measures between tenancies in order to allow upgrades such as redecorating, replacing furniture, or installing energy-efficient measures to take place.”

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