The New Housing(Scotland) Bill Elaine Hamilton Housing Bill Project Manager Scottish Government

Overview What’s in the Bill Abolition of Right to Buy Social housing reform What happens next?

Housing Bill Follows on from Homes fit for 21 st Century  ‘All people in Scotland live in high-quality sustainable homes that they can afford and that meet their needs’ (Scottish Government Housing and Regeneration Outcome)

Housing Bill Introduced to Parliament on 21 November Aim is to safeguard the interests of tenants, improve housing quality and secure better outcomes for communities

Housing Bill Defective Designation Private House Condition Enforcement Powers: Quality Standards Social Housing Reform – more flexibility for Social Landlords Amending the 20 year rule

Right to Buy RTB will end for all tenants of social housing in Scotland 3 years after the Bill becomes law This means RTB will end Summer/ Autumn 2017

Consultation Responses - General 169 responses analysed 87% supported further restrictions to RTB 83% of these favoured ending RTB. This included 92% of Registered Social Landlords and 81% of local authorities 25% of tenant groups and 27% of individuals who responded favoured no change to RTB at all 73% of respondents who commented recommended a notice period of two years or less

Why end RTB? Favoured option from consultation responses Logical progress from 2010 changes A distinctive Scottish solution Fairness Helping tenants Helping landlords Helping communities Helping the taxpayer

Significance of RTB 611,000 homes in social rented sector 207,000 have preserved RTB. 327,000 have modernised RTB. 81% of tenancies have some form of RTB Up to 15,500 houses protected by ending RTB

Social Housing - Allocations and tenancies Allocations – more freedom for landlords and factors that may be considered when prioritising 12 month qualifying period before assigning, sub-letting or requesting a joint tenancy Can refuse assignation if assignee is not in a priority group

Social Housing - Tools to tackle anti-social behaviour Previous behaviour can be taken into account in allocation More flexibility for landlords to use SSSTs for anti-social tenants – to encourage them to change their behaviour Simpler eviction procedures for the most serious anti-social behaviour

Social housing - Further protection for tenants Landlords to give reasons for repossession of tenancy Tenants can request a review before case goes to court Applicants can challenge decision to make them ineligible for housing

Impact on landlords Landlords can decide how to use new flexibilities Could mean changes in allocations policy Assessment of property owned by applicants Making decisions on type of tenancy to offer More use of SSSTs

Impact on landlords More support for tenants with SSSTs Fewer approved assignation requests Guidance will be produced with your help

Housing Bill Parliamentary phase Stage 1 : evidence sessions (Late 2013/Spring 2014) Stage 1 : evidence sessions (Late 2013/Spring 2014) Stage 2 : amendments; (Spring 2014) Stage 2 : amendments; (Spring 2014) Stage 3 : amendments; vote (Early Summer 2014) Stage 3 : amendments; vote (Early Summer 2014) Royal Assent (Summer 2014) Royal Assent (Summer 2014) Commencement (Autumn 2014) Commencement (Autumn 2014)

Further information Scottish Parliament website - ntarybusiness/Bills/70102.aspx ntarybusiness/Bills/70102.aspx Scottish Government website– Environment/Housing/reform/housing-bill Environment/Housing/reform/housing-bill Housing Bill mailbox –