Housing

Scottish Government seeks views on proposals to improve the rented sector further to its New Deal for Tenants consultation

Suggested reforms include introducing more rent controls in the private sector, and giving greater protections during the eviction process in both the private and social sector

Round-up of recent decisions from the Housing Ombudsman

Housing Ombudsman launches consultation on new Complaint Handling Code ahead of it becoming a statutory requirement in England under Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023

Ombudsman also confirms that it has partnered with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman to extend the new Code across all local government functions

Requirement for professional representatives to use CE-file when providing documents to the Lands Chamber of the Upper Tribunal

New Practice Direction advises that requirement applies to proceedings that are started in the Tribunal on or after 4 October 2023

Scottish Government sets out long-term strategy to support the integration of displaced people from Ukraine

Developed in collaboration with the Scottish Refugee Council and COSLA, priorities include reducing the use of temporary accommodation, boosting access to settled housing, and keeping human rights at the heart of all integration efforts

Continuation of temporary cost of living protections for tenants in Scotland until 31 March 2024

New statutory instrument extends period that provisions limiting the private sector rent cap and pausing enforcement of evictions for all tenants apply for a further six months

Chronic and unresolved systemic issues mean that the government won’t meet its target to end rough sleeping by 2024

Kerslake Commission highlights that the latest national official figures show a 26 per cent increase in rough sleeping and the highest rates of people living in temporary accommodation on record

StepChange calls for increased protections for private tenants to be included in the Renters (Reform) Bill

On their own, the government's proposed reforms will fail to prevent the most financially vulnerable tenants from losing their homes, says debt charity

Scottish Parliament approves final extension of temporary cost of living tenant protections

MSPs vote for extension of period that 3 per cent cap on private sector rent increases and additional eviction protections remain in force until March 2024

Government reports that 85 per cent of the Afghan people who have left bridging accommodation have been moved or matched to settled accommodation

Update follows Home Office issuing notice to quit to the 8,000 people who remained in hotels in July 2023

Government’s delay in responding to MPs’ report on private rented sector reform ‘significantly inhibits’ Select Committee’s constitutional role in scrutinising the work of the Levelling Up Department

New report highlights that delay continues despite commitments from Ministers that response would be published alongside the introduction of the Renters (Reform) Bill in May 2023

Social landlords fail to comply with a record number of Complaint Handling Failure Orders

Housing Ombudsman reports that more than a third of the orders issued to landlords between April and June 2023 were not complied with

First commencement order issued in relation to the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023

New statutory instrument

Criticism mounts about government delay in progressing Renters (Reform) Bill

Labour Party and Shelter highlight failure to include second reading of the Bill in the forthcoming business of the House of Commons as the current parliamentary session enters its final weeks

Scottish Government confirms that it will introduce legislation to allow local authorities to apply council tax premium of up to 100 per cent on second homes

New legislation will encourage more housing to be used as homes and 'seek a fair contribution to local services from everyone', says Finance Minister

Lack of joined-up and collaborative planning by council’s housing and social care services prevented homeless disabled person moving from unsuitable temporary accommodation for far too long

Calderdale Council accepts Ombudsman's criticism and agrees to improve staff training and provide evidence of service improvements in order to prevent similar injustice happening in future

Government urged to abandon policy change that shortens move-on period for people granted refugee status

Housing and refugee support organisations highlight that a significant number of refugees have already been made homeless by th change, placing huge pressures on the voluntary sector and mainstream homelessness services