COVID Recovery Bill first step of real rent reform
The Coronavirus Recovery and Reform Bill will strengthen the rights of tenants and make it harder for landlords to evict tenants, according to the Scottish Greens.
The Bill, being debated today, would abolish mandatory grounds for eviction, such as a landlord selling a house. Now, all grounds for evicting tenants are discretionary meaning all evictions must be ruled as reasonable by a tribunal.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Scottish Greens Housing spokesperson, Ariane Burgess MSP, said:
Access to good quality housing is a fundamental right and one that underpins the health, wellbeing, happiness and life-chances of people everywhere. This Bill will be a big step forward for tenants, and will provide vital protections from eviction."
"Today’s Bill is just the first step in a programme of real rent reform in Scotland. With Greens in government we are changing the rental sector and putting housing and the rights of tenants at the heart of our recovery. We aren’t just talking about change, we are delivering it."
"By the end of this term we will introduce a far-reaching new deal for tenants, including further protections from unfair evictions and the right to decorate and keep pets and to make a house a home. Most importantly, we will be introducing a robust form of rent controls to stop the kind of rent increases we’ve seen throughout the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.”