Holyrood bid lodged to let tenants withhold rent over repairs
An amendment to the Housing (Scotland) Bill, proposed by Scottish Greens MSP Ariane Burgess, would see renters able to withhold payments if landlords do not carry out repairs within 30 days of being notified about the issues.
The amendment also looks to improve the tribunal process by ensuring landlords who act in bad faith would need to prove they have done enough to resolve the issue to unlock the withheld rent.
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The Scottish Greens said their amendment would mean that concerns such as damp, mould, broken floorings, heating and hot water systems are repaired promptly and to a safe standard.
The proposals have been backed by tenants' union Living Rent.
Burgess said: 'My proposals will make it easier for renters to stand up to rogue landlords and to get vital repairs done quickly.
Ariane Burgess 'At the moment, renters can do little except threaten to take their landlords to tribunals, which can be time consuming and stressful, and the burden of the tribunal falls on the renter.
'Renters should expect their homes to be maintained to the same standard as any other. But in some cases, there are landlords who simply feel it is okay to take rent and let their properties fester with damp, mould and serious problems that significantly impact health and wellbeing.
'While not all landlords let this happen, and many will be encouraged to keep up the good work, there are some bad faith actors who fail to maintain their properties. For those who rent these properties, it can be a miserable experience.
'People in this situation need more support and the power to make sure major repairs happen.'
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The Greens have also submitted a second amendment to the same bill which would mean that those purchasing a second or holiday home within a National Park have to pay an additional charge.
The proposals, lodged by Ross Greer MSP, are aimed at tackling the housing crisis in Scotland's National Parks and the funds could be used for public services.
Currently, anyone buying a second or holiday home anywhere in Scotland must pay a tax known as the Additional Dwelling Supplement.
The Scottish Greens have called for this tax to be doubled for properties within National Parks, although this would have to be agreed by MSPs on an annual basis.
According to the Greens, there are 2455 second homes in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, which is around 5% of all homes.
In Cairngorms National Park, around 12% of all houses are second homes, reaching 20% in some communities.
The average number of second homes across Scotland is around 0.9%.
Ross Greer Greer said: 'Our National Parks are iconic and beautiful places, but the families who actually live there are being pushed out by second home owners.
'Young people in particular are too often forced to leave the communities they grew up in after being outbid by those wealthy enough to buy a second property.
'Too many properties are also used as cash cows for short-term lets while local people are priced out and businesses find it impossible to recruit staff because there is nowhere for them to live.
'The changes already delivered by Green MSPs have reduced the number of second and holiday homes bought each year, freeing up more properties for people who need a home to live in. Now we can build on this success and ensure that the communities within our National Parks are more than just holiday parks.'
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