Latest news with #HousingBill
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Call made to stop rich "hoarding" Stirling properties
An MSP has claimed too many young people are forced to leave the communities they have grown up in due to housing shortages and high house prices - caused by second homes and holiday lets. Reducing the number of second homes in Stirling could help to tackle the housing crisis says a local MSP. Mark Ruskell, Scottish Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, says making it harder for the wealthy to 'hoard' homes by increasing their tax is crucial to tackle the issue in Stirlingshire. The most recent data from the Scottish Government shows that second homes and short-term lets make up 2.5 per cent of all housing in Stirling. This is higher than the national average (1.8 per cent). At the same time, a housing emergency has been declared across Scotland and over 10,000 children are in temporary accommodation. Second homes are more common in areas of natural beauty, including Callander, Aberfoyle and Bridge of Allan. In many cases young people are forced to leave the communities they have grown up in due to housing shortages and high house prices caused by second homes and holiday lets. Mr Ruskell says the Scottish Greens have already taken action to reduce the spread of holiday homes and short term lets, doubling the tax paid when buying a home for these purposes and giving councils the power to double council tax on these properties. This reduced the number of second homes by 2455 in Scotland last year compared to 2023 and raised tens of millions of pounds for public services like the NHS and schools. Speaking in Parliament last week, Mr Ruskell raised concerns about the expansion of second home ownership, and called for action to protect communities and help first time house buyers by reducing the number of holiday homes. He said: 'Scotland is in a housing crisis. Everyone in Parliament agrees on this, but it's only the Scottish Greens delivering the changes needed to tackle it. 'The fact that we have hundreds of second homes and short term lets across Stirlingshire, outstripping the national average, is a major reason why this crisis is so much worse locally. Wealthy people buying up properties they won't live in are pushing out young families in particular. 'These houses either lie empty for most of the year as holiday homes, or they are hoarded by landlords making a fortune from Airbnb-style short term lets. Either way, its first-time buyers who are pushed out by those with much more financial muscle. 'There are 10,000 children stuck in temporary accommodation, but 49,000 second homes and short term lets. This is a crisis which can clearly be solved. We'll only do that by taking on the wealthy few, those who pay very little tax while hoovering up the houses which other people need. 'The current Housing Bill is a watershed moment in the Scottish Parliament. Thanks to the Scottish Greens it will deliver controls on rent increases and new rights and protections for renters. 'However, it must go further to tackle the vast inequality gap that we see between the rich and the vulnerable in Stirlingshire. 'The Scottish Government must listen to us and act boldly to stop the hollowing out of our communities.' In his speech, Mr Ruskell said his area's communities welcomed people who come to make their lives in permanent homes, but that more second homes were artificially inflating the housing market and pricing out locals, particularly families taking their first steps in the housing market. 'Adult children often have to stay in the family home while saving for a deposit or even to move out of their community, away from friends and family, at a stage in life when support networks are incredibly important. 'I also see older people struggling. They can become trapped in unsuitable housing because there are few properties available to downsize into and they sometimes end up in precarious tenancies in poorly serviced park homes. There are few options for people in many rural communities. 'It is in those hotspots that we can most clearly see the impact of second home ownership. Shops close because of a lack of regular custom, schools have dwindling numbers of young people, leading to their eventual closure, and residents no longer have neighbours.'
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Scot Gov slammed for 'shameful' drop of winter eviction ban
The aim of the amendment was to prevent people from being made homeless during the harshest, coldest months of the year where weather conditions can often be life-threatening. However, during considerations of amendments on the bill, MSPs decided not to include this clause. Reacting to the vote, Maggie Chapman has said this risks making more people homeless. The Scottish Greens MSP 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.' Living Rent said the decision was one which showed the Scottish Government is siding with landlords "at the expense of tenants". Aditi Jehangir, from Living Rent said: "All evictions are stressful and scary. And during winter, when tenants struggle to heat their homes, when it's cold outside, and the festive season is ramping up, evictions are particularly cruel. In the middle of a housing emergency, evictions are a sure promise of growing homelessness. "To vote against greater protections for tenants during the harshest months of the year is a vote against protecting the most vulnerable. It's a vote that protects landlords. The Scottish government is siding with them at the expense of tenants. This is just part of a wider move to strip the Housing Bill of any meaningful and significant protections for tenants during a devastating housing crisis. It does not bode well ahead of a Holyrood election where housing will play a deciding role and where clear and effective changes are crucial." Ministers have said the consultation on the Housing bill indicated there were other times which present major financial and emotional pressure - not just the winter months. They added that measures included in the housing bill mean that a court or tribunal will consider if there should be a delay to an eviction and seasonal impact could be taken into consideration. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Scotland provides renters with some of the strongest protections from eviction anywhere in the UK. 'We explored greater restrictions on evictions during the winter period as part of our new deal for tenants. Consultation indicated that there are other times of the year which present major financial and emotional pressures for people. 'The measures in the Housing Bill ensure that the tribunal or court will consider whether there should be a delay to the enforcement of an eviction at any time of year, although seasonal impact is a specific factor to be taken into account. This approach will give greater protection for tenants throughout the year.' The Housing Bill is currently at Stage 2 after it was introduced by the Scottish Government last year. It covers protections for tenants, preventing homelessness, and other housing matters. Earlier this month, the Scottish Parliament's Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee voted to force the Scottish Government to include student tenancies in its planned rent control legislation. Cross-party MSPs backed amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill that would extend rent control powers to include student accommodation – both purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and university-owned halls. The bill also includes rights such as for private and social housing tenants to request to keep a pet and for private housing tenants to make changes to the property they are renting. It also includes changes to other matters affecting tenants such as allowing a single joint tenant to end a joint tenancy.
The National
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scots tenants 'should not be restricted from keeping pets by landlords
The party has lodged amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill, currently making its way through the Scottish Parliament, to make it easier for renters to keep pets and service animals in their homes. Current rules mean that if a tenant wants to keep a pet, they must make a request to their landlord, who has 42 days to respond. The Scottish Greens amendment would reduce this to 14 days. And, no response from the landlord would be taken as permission. These changes are backed by charity organisations such as Dogs Trust, Cats Protection and Sight Scotland. READ MORE: Angela Rayner won't say if she thinks Israel is breaking international law MSP Maggie Chapman, who lodged the amendments, said: 'Pets are part of the family, and in some cases are working to keep people safe every day. 'Dogs, cats and other animals are important for many people's physical and mental health, and they play an important role in decreasing loneliness. 'In a world where many feel isolated, having a pet for companionship in return for our care can make us feel valued and get us out of the house more often too.' Chapman added that tenants have 'every right' to keep pets without having to ask permission from landlords. 'Too often, requests are ignored or delayed which leads to uncertainty and stress for people with pets, or people hoping to have one,' she said. (Image: PA) 'That is why I want to amend the Bill so that faster responses are given, and permission granted automatically if no response is received. 'Guide dogs and service animals that detect seizures and other health conditions play a crucial role in the health and wellbeing of many. They are vital companions which landlords should not be able to forbid from living in homes where they are needed. 'Every step the Scottish Greens are taking in this Bill is to boost renters' rights to live in the homes they pay for and fully utilise the space, without having landlords call all of the shots. 'I hope my colleagues from across the Parliament will join me and support these changes to improve renters rights and lives overall.' The Housing Bill also contains plans for rent controls. READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon says Supreme Court ruling 'massively misinterpreted' The Scottish Government's plan would see increases capped by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of inflation plus 1%, up to a maximum of 6%. Meanwhile, the Greens proposals would instead cap rent by the CPI, earnings growth or 6%, whichever is lowest. The amendments are set to be scrutinised on Tuesday by the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. We previously told how an investigation by The National found that hundreds of landlords tried to raise rents above limits set by the Scottish Government, before the protections ended earlier this year.
STV News
23-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Scottish councils getting less money for housing despite emergency
Nearly all councils in Scotland are getting less money for social housing this year than they did four years ago, despite the Government declaring a national housing emergency in 2024. Scottish Government data shows that councils received £64.2m less cash for the affordable housing supply programme than they did in 2021/22. Four years ago, Scotland's 32 local authorities divvied up the £724.3m fund from Holyrood to build new affordable houses. This year, councils are splitting £660.1m between themselves. With inflation, the real terms cash cut for the programme is likely to be even higher. Edinburgh is the only local authority that will see its budget rise – from £52.4 million to £59.4 million – amid an acute housing crisis in the region. Money for the other 31 councils will fall. Highland Council saw the steepest drop in funding. In four years, they have lost nearly £7m worth of funding from the affordable housing supply programme. The reductions come a year after the Scottish Government declared a national housing emergency, and despite ministers reversing £200m in budget cuts to the housebuilding scheme. Shelter Scotland said that while it welcomed the improved funding settlement, councils are still seeing less from the Scottish Government than they did four years ago. Alison Watson, director of the Shelter Scotland charity, said it is time for Scotland's politicians 'to be frank with the nation'. 'There is no plan to end the housing emergency,' she said. 'It has been a year since a national housing emergency was declared by the Scottish Parliament, but almost all local authorities continue to have less money to spend on new social homes than they did in 2021/22.' Ms Watson added that the current Housing Bill in Parliament 'will not reduce rent, will not make it easier to build social housing and will not inject more cash into services to prevent homelessness'. She said it 'cannot be the answer' to Scotland's housing problems. She said Scotland needed a 'programme for housing, from the Government, not a programme for homelessness'. However, Scotland's housing minister, Paul McLennan and social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville have both defended the SNP Government's position on housing. McLennan claimed the Government has 'increased the affordable housing supply programme budget by £200m' this year to support local authorities on homelessness and temporary accommodation pressures. 'Local authorities will also be provided with £15 billion this financial year for a range of services, including in homelessness services,' he said. 'There is also an additional £4 million invested in the Ending Homelessness Together budget for 2025-26 to help local authorities, frontline services, and relevant partners prepare for the new prevention measures in the Housing Bill and to help them to respond to the housing emergency by preventing homelessness before it occurs.' During a statement to Parliament on Thursday, Somerville also emphasised that the Scottish Government was investing £768m to build 8,000 social and mid-market rent homes. She told MSPs: 'We are making progress, but we know that there is much more yet to do as we move into our next phase of our response. 'That is why the latest programme for government reiterated our commitment to the delivery of the 110,000 affordable homes target by 2032.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Domestic abuse victims may have council tax debts written off
Her intervention follows an amendment, seeking a review of the current system, by the Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer to the Housing Bill. She said: 'The Scottish Government has committed to support this amendment. The review will help councils navigate these complex cases with greater care and understanding, ensuring that support is available.' Mr Greer's amendment urges MSPs to call for the government to examine the measure which could mean victims would not have pay off their abuser's council tax debts. His proposal requires ministers to review the impact of the current system on domestic abuse survivors. Coerced debt involves an abusive partner building debt in the victim's name without his or her consent or knowledge or through coercing, forcing or threatening them to do so. READ MORE: Legal aid should be automatic for domestic abuse victims MSPs are told Doctors seek 1800 more GPs in Scotland to improve patient care Final bill for electrification of train line rises to almost £144 million Researchers and organisations supporting survivors have found examples where an abuser uses council tax debt as a means of ongoing control and financial coercion making it harder for a person to leave the relationship. Groups calling for the removal of coerced debt include Scottish Women's Aid, Aberlour and Financially Included, who recently published a joint report on the matter. Their report found that the issue disproportionately affected women and children, with some children having to be taken into care as a result of problems relating to coerced debt. There was also evidence that coerced debt led to survivors facing homelessness, difficulties in finding a job, poor mental health, and low credit scores and long-term financial insecurity. A support worker for the Aberlour Bridges Partnership told researchers: 'One of our mums is still having to re-pay council tax arrears from a property she lived in with the perpetrator over two years ago, she thought he was paying the council tax, and he was not. "As it was a joint private tenancy, she was made liable for the council tax, and this costs her approximately £104 per month, which is a huge sum each month.' The report found 240 women in Glasgow supported by the organisation Financially Included owed public bodies £251,400. It also revealed that council tax debt made up 37% of the public debt accumulated by clients of the three organisations. 'Coerced debt is a form of abuse and financial violence that is being used against people in often very desperate situations. It is used to punish and control victims and survivors and to make them responsible for their abusers," Mr Greer told The Herald. 'Council tax debt causes a huge amount of stress and anxiety for thousands of people across Scotland. Some of those worst affected are survivors of domestic abuse who are being forced to pay off their abuser's debts." He added: "This is a problem overwhelmingly affecting women with children, with every penny they are forced to pay effectively being a tax for surviving their abuse. Cancelling it and changing the rules around joint liability is clearly the right thing to do. 'I hope that MSPs from all parties will support my proposal and that we can move quickly to provide some relief and support for people who are trying to rebuild their lives.' More than 400 amendments to the Housing Bill have been tabled. The proposals are being examined by MSPs on Holyrood's local government, housing and planning committee with the legislation to be voted on later at its final parliamentary stage - stage three - in the Holyrood chamber. The main aim of the bill is to allow councils to create rent control areas where rent is capped to certain levels. An amendment by ministers proposes that rent rises are capped to the rate of inflation plus 1% to a maximum of 6%. The Scottish Government has also set a target date for local authorities to make market assessments and recommendations on whether or not to introduce rent control areas. The new date is May 31 2027. Almost £3m of school meal debt was written off, the Scottish Government announced earlier this year, after a national fund was set up to help struggling families following a demand by the Greens. The write-off fund was a response to growing alarm over school meal debt incurred by families during the cost of living crisis. The fund was opened last year and 29 councils have drawn on the national pot to clear parental debt. Glasgow council was given £655,032 to write off debt while the figure for Edinburgh and Highland standS at £89,321 and £115,747.
