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Ariane Burgess: Rented housing should deliver for people, not profit


By John Davidson

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Holyrood Notebook by Ariane Burgess

The new deal would give a stronger voice to tenants.
The new deal would give a stronger voice to tenants.

Housing is a fundamental human right, everyone deserves to live in a secure, affordable, and good quality home. For too long, private rented sector tenants have been second-class citizens, living in houses that they cannot make their homes.

During the pandemic we spent more time indoors than ever. Our surroundings and sense of belonging are essential to good mental health, so seemingly simple things like allowing tenants to decorate their homes and keep pets can uplift mood and alleviate loneliness.

Poor conditions have been far too common in the private rented sector, and we’ve seen some rents skyrocket, even during the pandemic.

Last winter, we saw evictions banned – it is time that is the case every winter, not just during a pandemic – and firm action will be taken against landlords who evict illegally, whatever the time of year.

I am fortunate to have a great landlord but it’s not always the case. We need a culture change where everyone renting out accommodation see themselves as a home provider first.

I campaigned on housing as a human right during the Holyrood elections which is why I was delighted to support Patrick Harvie, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, launch the consultation on the Draft New Deal for Tenants.

This New Deal for Tenants may be new to us, but it simply brings us in line with many fellow European countries who have long protected tenants with measures such as rent controls, rights I also had when I lived in New York City.

Reforming the rented housing sector requires bringing everyone involved to the table to tackle difficult problems, which will be vital for the long-term wellbeing of tenants.

Tenants across the country, who don’t have the time, money or energy to fight their corner, will now have a greater say in the private rented sector with a new tenants' participation panel and options to establish tenants' unions.

They would be supported to do this with new powers to allocate long-term unclaimed deposits to fund rights and representation work.

Landlords will benefit too, in turn, from tenants who are invested in the properties they live in and connected to the communities surrounding them.

These changes will not just be felt in urban areas – rural and island communities will see action taken on residential mobile homes, agricultural and tied tenancies.

Rent controls in these areas will also tackle the rural depopulation crisis by making housing more affordable and preventing young people being priced out of the communities they grew up in.

I am hopeful that the new rent guarantor scheme for estranged young people will help some of our most vulnerable people live authentically and break free of abuse.

With the review of grounds to end private tenancies and action to make it easier to exit a joint tenancy, tenancies will be fit for purpose and can adapt more easily to changes in life circumstances.

This ambitious programme of change is crucial in ensuring we progress towards fulfilling the human right of an adequate home for all and that our housing stock is maintained for future generations.

I will work with everyone involved to transform the rented housing sector to deliver for people, not profit, view houses as homes, and place wellbeing at the heart of Scotland’s housing policy.

You can participate in the consultation on the Scottish Government’s website at https://consult.gov.scot/housing-and-social-justice/draft-rented-sector-strategy

Green MSP Ariane Burgess.
Green MSP Ariane Burgess.
  • Ariane Burgess is a Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands.

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