Scottish Government voting down winter evictions ban is 'shameful'
A plan to ban winter evictions has been voted down by the Scottish Government, in a move the Scottish Greens have labelled “shameful”.
The plan put forward as an amendment to the Housing (Scotland) Bill, would have prevented landlords from evicting renters between November and March every year, preventing thousands of people from being made homeless during the harshest, coldest months of the year where weather conditions can often be life-threatening.
In 2022, the Scottish Greens secured temporary protections from evictions for renters, giving peace of mind to those at risk of homelessness during the harshest months.
Reacting to the vote, Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman said:
“It is shameful that the Scottish Government has voted against a winter evictions ban. While we may be approaching summer with the coldest months ahead far from our minds, for people at risk of homelessness, the threat of a winter without a roof over their heads is real and fast approaching.
“Every winter, too many people and families are kicked out of their homes, sometimes for unwarranted reasons by landlords who don’t take their obligations seriously.
“We live in an era of sky-rocketing rents, high utility bills and low wages that don’t keep pace. The cost of living crisis is still very much with us. Renters need protections just as much as they did when inflation was at its height.
“But instead of giving renters more rights, the Scottish Government has made it clear that it is on the side of landlords. It has favoured the wealthy over working people, which will only serve to deepen inequality and put more people at risk of homelessness.
“I will bring these important protections back at Stage 3 of the Bill, giving the Government and opposition parties the chance to protect people and their families facing crisis, and help to ease the ongoing housing emergency in Scotland.”