Scottish Government confirms that it will introduce emergency legislation to ensure that there are no evictions as a result of COVID-19 for six months

Minister also tells Scottish Parliament that notice period will be extended to six months for 'majority' of grounds for eviction

The Scottish Government has confirmed that it will introduce emergency legislation to ensure that there are no evictions as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Responding yesterday to an oral question in the Scottish Parliament, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government Aileen Campbell said -

'We have been clear that nobody should lose their house as a result of measures to cope with this pandemic. There should be no evictions as a result of COVID. Our emergency legislation will have provisions to ensure that there can be no evictions from the private rented sector or the social rented sector for six months. Aside from the legislation, I have had assurances from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations that its members will not evict anyone during this time. However, of course, we will still take forward the legislative packages.'

In relation to possible grounds for eviction, Ms Campbell went on to say -

'Under the old tenancies - the assured and short assured tenancies - there are 17 grounds for eviction; the new tenancy has 18. We are looking to extend the notice period in relation to the majority of those grounds.... The extension of the notice period for the majority of those grounds to six months is in order to give effect to our desire for no one to lose their house over the actions that are being taken in our attempts to cope with the pandemic.'

Ms Campbell's answer is available from parliament.scot