Housing (Scotland) Act 2001

Contents

Part 1 · Homelessness and allocation of housing

1Homelessness strategies#

(1)Every local authority must, when required to do so by the Scottish Ministers—

(a)carry out an assessment of homelessness in its area, and

(b)prepare and submit to the Scottish Ministers a strategy for preventing and alleviating homelessness in its area (a “homelessness strategy”).

(2)A requirement under subsection (1) may make provision as to—

(a)the particular matters to be assessed under subsection (1)(a),

(b)the time by which the strategy is to be submitted to the Scottish Ministers,

(c)the form of the strategy and the matters which it is to include,

(d)the period to which the strategy is to relate.

(3)The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance, either to local authorities generally or to a particular authority, as to the form and content of an assessment and of a homelessness strategy and as to consultation on a proposed strategy.

(4)Without prejudice to subsections (2) and (3), a homelessness strategy must state how the local authority is to comply with its duty under section 106 so far as relating to the matters included in the strategy.

(5)A local authority must provide a copy of its homelessness strategy to any person who requests it.

(6)A local authority—

(a)may, from time to time, and

(b)must, if required to do so by the Scottish Ministers,

review its homelessness strategy and prepare and submit to the Scottish Ministers a revised homelessness strategy.

2Advice on homelessness etc.#

(1)Every local authority must secure that advice and information about—

(a)homelessness and the prevention of homelessness, and

(b)any services which may assist a homeless person or assist in the prevention of homelessness,

is available free of charge to any person in the authority’s area.

(2)The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance, either to local authorities generally or to a particular authority, as to the form and content of such advice and information.

3Homeless persons and persons threatened with homelessness#

(1)In section 24 (definition of persons threatened with homelessness) of the 1987 Act—

(a)in subsection (1), for “Scotland, or England or Wales” substitute “ the United Kingdom or elsewhere ”,

(b)in subsection (3), after paragraph (d) insert“; or e it is not permanent accommodation, in circumstances where, immediately before the commencement of his occupation of it, a local authority had a duty under section 31(2) in relation to him.”

(c)in subsection (4), for “28 days” substitute “ 2 months ”,

(d)after subsection (4) insert—“5 For the purposes of subsection (3)(e), “permanent accommodation” includes accommodation—a of which the person is the heritable proprietor,b secured by a Scottish secure tenancy,c secured by an assured tenancy that is not a short assured tenancy,d where paragraph 1 or 2 of schedule 6 to the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 10) is satisfied in relation to the person, secured by a short Scottish secure tenancy.”

(2)In section 29(1) (interim duty to accommodate) of that Act, the words “and have a priority need” are repealed.

(3)In section 31 (duties to persons found to be homeless) of that Act—

(a)in subsection (2), after “secure that” insert “ permanent ”,

(b)in subsection (3)—

(i)for the words from “Where” to “intentionally” substitute “ In any other case ”,

(ii)in paragraph (b), for the words from “such” to “circumstances” substitute “ assistance of such type as may be prescribed ”,

(c)subsection (4) is repealed,

(d)at the end insert—“5 For the purposes of subsection (2), “permanent accommodation” includes accommodation—a secured by a Scottish secure tenancy,b secured by an assured tenancy that is not a short assured tenancy,c where paragraph 1 or 2 of schedule 6 to the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp10) is satisfied in relation to the applicant, secured by a short Scottish secure tenancy.”

(4)In section 32 (duties to persons found to be threatened with homelessness) of that Act—

(a)in subsection (3)—

(i)for the words from “Where” to “intentionally” substitute “ In any other case ”,

(ii)for the words from “such” to “circumstances” substitute “ assistance of such type as may be prescribed ”,

(b)in subsection (5)—

(i)after “accommodation” insert “ (a) ”,

(ii)at the end insert—“b that does not meet any special needs of the applicant and any other person referred to in section 24(2), orc that it is not reasonable for the applicant to occupy.”

(c)after subsection (5) insert—“6 Regulations made by virtue of section 31(3)(b) or subsection (3) above may make different provision for different purposes and different areas.7 Before making any such regulations, the Scottish Ministers shall consult—a such associations representing local authorities, andb such other persons,as they think fit on the proposed regulations.8 In exercising their functions under section 31 or this section in respect of a person falling within section 25(1)(b), the local authority shall have regard to the best interests of the dependent children referred to in that provision.”

(5)After that section insert—“32A 1 The provisions of—a section 31(2) so far as requiring that accommodation is to be permanent accommodation (within the meaning of section 31(5)), andb section 32(5)(b),do not apply in such circumstances as may be prescribed.2 Where—a accommodation has been provided under section 31(2), andb by virtue of subsection (1) above, that accommodation is not permanent accommodation (within the meaning of section 31(5)) or does not meet the special needs of the applicant and any other person referred to in section 24(2),section 26 does not apply.”

(6)In section 34 (duties to persons whose applications are referred)—

(a)in subsection (2), after “that” in the second and fourth places where it occurs insert “ permanent ”,

(b)in subsection (3)(a), after “that” insert “ permanent ”,

(c)after subsection (4) insert—“5 For the purposes of subsection (1), “accommodation” has the meaning given in section 32(5).6 For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3)(a), “permanent accommodation” has the meaning given in section 31(5) as read with section 32(5).”

4Review of decisions#

(1)In section 29 (interim duty to accommodate) of the 1987 Act, in subsection (1)—

(a)after “occupation” insert “ (a) ”,

(b)at the end insert—“b where the applicant has, under section 35A, requested a review of a decision of the authority, until they have notified him in accordance with section 35B of the decision reached on review.”

(2)In section 30 (notification of decision and reasons) of that Act, after subsection (4) insert—“4A They shall also notify him—a that he may request a review of the decision and of the time within which such a request must be made, andb of the advice and assistance that is available to him in connection with any such review.”

(3)In section 34 (duties to persons whose applications are referred) of that Act—

(a)after subsection (3) insert—“3A The notifying authority shall also notify him—a that he may request a review of the determination and of the time within which such a request must be made, andb of the advice and assistance that is available to him in connection with any such review.”

(b)in subsection (4), for “subsection (3)” substitute “ this section ”.

(4)After section 35 of that Act insert—“35A 1 Where an applicant requests a review of a decision to which subsection (2) applies, the local authority concerned shall review the decision.2 This subsection applies to the following decisions of a local authority—a any decision as to what duty (if any) is owed to the applicant under section 31 or 32,b any decision to notify another authority under section 33(1),c any determination under section 33(4) or 34(2) as to whether the conditions for referral of an application are satisfied,d where accommodation is secured for the applicant under section 31, 32 or 34, any decision as to whether the provision of that accommodation discharges the authority’s duty to the applicant under that section.3 A request for a review shall be made before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the applicant is notified of the decision or such longer period as the authority may allow.4 There is no right to request a review of a decision reached on review.35B 1 A review under section 35A shall be carried out by a person senior to the person who made the decision being reviewed and who had no involvement in the making of that decision.2 The authority, or as the case may be either of the authorities, concerned shall notify the applicant of the decision reached on review.3 If the decision is—a to confirm the original decision on any issue against the interests of the applicant, orb to confirm a previous decision—i to notify another authority under section 33(1), orii that the conditions are met for referral of his case,the authority shall also notify him of the reasons for the decision.4 Where subsection (3) applies, notice of the decision shall not be treated as given unless and until that subsection is complied with.5 Any notice required to be given to an applicant under this section shall be given in writing and shall, if not received by him, be treated as having been given to him only if it is made available at the authority’s office for a reasonable period for collection by him or on his behalf.”

5Duty of registered social landlord to provide accommodation#

(1)Where a local authority has a duty under section 31(2) (duty to persons found to be homeless) of the 1987 Act in relation to a homeless person, it may request a registered social landlord which holds houses for housing purposes in its area to provide accommodation for the person.

(2)In deciding whether to make such a request, the local authority must have regard to the availability of appropriate accommodation in its area.

(3)A registered social landlord must, within a reasonable period, comply with such a request unless it has a good reason for not doing so.

(4)A registered social landlord complies with such a request only if it provides for the person concerned accommodation—

(a)where paragraph 1 or 2 of schedule 6 is satisfied, secured by a short Scottish secure tenancy,

(b)in that or any other case, secured by a Scottish secure tenancy.

(5)Subsection (4) does not apply where such a request is expressly for the provision of accommodation not secured as mentioned in that subsection.

(6)A registered social landlord which holds housing for housing purposes in a local authority’s area must comply with any reasonable request for information in relation to that housing made to it by the authority in connection with the exercise of the authority’s functions under this section.

(7)The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance as to what constitutes—

(a)for the purposes of subsection (3)—

(i)a reasonable period,

(ii)a good reason,

(b)for the purposes of subsection (6), a reasonable request.

(8)Before issuing any such guidance, the Scottish Ministers must consult—

(a)such associations representing local authorities,

(b)such associations representing registered social landlords, and

(c)such other persons,

as they think fit.

6Duty of registered social landlord: further provision#

(1)Where—

(a)a registered social landlord does not, within a reasonable period, comply with a request made by a local authority under section 5,

(b)the local authority considers, having regard to any guidance issued under subsection (7) of that section, that the landlord had no good reason for not complying with the request, and

(c)the local authority and the landlord are unable, within such period as the Scottish Ministers may specify by order, to reach agreement as to whether there is such a good reason,

the local authority and the landlord must appoint an arbiter to determine the issue.

(2)In determining for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) what is a reasonable period, regard must be had to any guidance issued under section 5(7).

(3)If there is no agreement as to who is to be appointed as arbiter, the Scottish Ministers must, on the request of the local authority, appoint an arbiter.

(4)The cost of any arbitration under this section is to be shared equally between the local authority and the landlord unless the arbiter determines otherwise.

(5)The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance as to—

(a)the period within which an arbiter is to be appointed under subsection (1),

(b)the procedure for appointing an arbiter under that subsection,

(c)the remuneration and other expenses which may be paid to an arbiter appointed under subsection (1) or (3), and any other expenses which may be paid in respect of arbitration,

(d)the procedure to be followed at arbitration,

(e)the maximum length of time of the arbitration procedure.

(6)Any determination of an arbiter by virtue of this section is final.

7Persons living in hostel and other short-term accommodation#

(1)This section applies to the occupancy of residential accommodation, or of any description of residential accommodation, on such basis as may be specified in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.

(2)Such regulations must not specify occupancy of accommodation—

(a)as heritable proprietor,

(b)secured by—

(i)a Scottish secure tenancy or what would be a Scottish secure tenancy but for paragraph 1, 2 or 8 of schedule 1,

(ii)a short Scottish secure tenancy,

(iii)an assured tenancy or what would be an assured tenancy but for paragraph 8 of Schedule 4 to the 1988 Act,

(iv)a short assured tenancy.

(v)a private residential tenancy or what would be a private residential tenancy but for paragraph 6 of schedule 1 of the 2016 Act.

(3)The Scottish Ministers may specify by regulations terms which are to have effect as terms of an occupancy to which this section applies as between the occupier and the person providing the accommodation; and any agreement between those persons has no effect so far as it is inconsistent with any such term.

(4)Regulations under subsection (3) must include provision for a minimum period of notice to be given by the person providing the accommodation to the occupier before the right of occupancy can be terminated; but such provision does not prevent the earlier termination of occupancy rights where there is a serious danger to other occupiers or staff of the accommodation.

(5)Regulations under subsection (3) may also make provision for an application to the court by a person whose occupancy is terminated on the ground that there is a serious danger to other occupiers or staff of the accommodation.

(6)Subsection (3) does not prevent the occupier and the person providing the accommodation from agreeing terms of the occupancy additional to those specified in the regulations.

(7)A person providing such accommodation who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a term specified under subsection (3) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(8)Before making any regulations under subsection (3), the Scottish Ministers must consult—

(a)such associations representing local authorities,

(b)such associations representing registered social landlords, and

(c)such other persons,

as they think fit on the proposed regulations.

8Common housing registers#

(1)A local authority must, when required to do so by the Scottish Ministers, prepare and submit to the Scottish Ministers proposals for establishing and maintaining a list of applicants for housing to be kept jointly by or on behalf of any two or more housing providers in connection with the allocation of housing held by them for housing purposes.

(2)In subsection (1), “housing providers” means the local authority, any other local authority and any registered social landlord.

(3)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision as to establishing and maintaining such a list.

(4)Such regulations may, in particular, make provision as to—

(a)the time by which proposals under subsection (1) are to be submitted to the Scottish Ministers,

(b)the form of such proposals and the matters which they are to include,

(c)consultation on such proposals,

(d)the procedure for approval of such proposals by the Scottish Ministers,

(e)the procedure for implementing such proposals .

(5)Where the Scottish Ministers approve proposals by virtue of this section, the local authority must ensure that a list of applicants for housing is established and maintained in accordance with the proposals as so approved.

(6)A registered social landlord which holds housing for housing purposes must comply with any reasonable request made to it by a local authority in connection with the exercise of the authority’s functions under this section.

9Housing lists#

For section 19 (admission to housing list) of the 1987 Act substitute—“19 1 An applicant for housing held by a local authority or a registered social landlord is entitled to be admitted to a housing list unless the applicant is under 16 years of age.2 In this section, “housing list” means a list of applicants for housing which is kept by any housing provider or jointly by or on behalf of any two or more housing providers in connection with the allocation of housing held by it or them for housing purposes.3 In subsection (2), “housing provider” means any local authority or any registered social landlord.”

10Allocation of housing#

(1)Section 20 (persons to have priority on housing list and allocation of housing) of the 1987 Act is amended as follows.

(2)In subsection (1)—

(a)after “authority” insert “ and a registered social landlord ”,

(b)for paragraph (b) substitute—“b to homeless persons and persons threatened with homelessness (within the meaning of Part II).”

(3)In subsection (2)—

(a)for “local authority” in the first place where it occurs substitute “ such ”,

(b)after “authority” in the second place where it occurs insert “ and a registered social landlord ”,

(c)in paragraph (a), for sub-paragraph (iii) substitute—“iii any liability (for payment of rent or otherwise) of the applicant which is attributable to the applicant’s tenancy of a house but which is no longer outstanding; oriv any such liability which is outstanding but in respect of which subsection (2A) is satisfied; orv any outstanding liability of the applicant or of any person who it is proposed will reside with the applicant which is not attributable to the tenancy of a house; orvi except to the extent permitted by subsection (2B), the age of the applicant provided that the applicant has attained the age of 16 years; orvii the income of the applicant and his family; orviii whether, or to what value, the applicant or any of his family owns or has owned (or any of them own or have owned) heritable or moveable property;”

(d)after paragraph (a) insert—“aa shall take no account of whether an applicant is resident in their area if the applicant—i is employed, or has been offered employment, in the area; orii wishes to move into the area and they are satisfied that his purpose in doing so is to seek employment; oriii wishes to move into the area to be near a relative or carer; oriv has special social or medical reasons for requiring to be housed within the area; orv is subject to conduct amounting to harassment (“conduct” and “harassment” being construed in accordance with section 8 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (c.40)) and wishes to move into the area; orvi runs the risk of domestic violence (within the meaning of section 33(3)) and wishes to move into the area; and”

(4)After subsection (2) insert—“2A This subsection is satisfied in respect of an outstanding liability where—a the amount of the outstanding liability is not more than one twelfth of the annual amount payable (or which was payable) by the applicant to the landlord in respect of the tenancy in question; orb the applicant—i has agreed with the landlord an arrangement for paying the outstanding liability;ii has made payments in accordance with that arrangement for at least three months; andiii is continuing to make such payments.2B A local authority and a registered social landlord may take into account the age of applicants in the allocation of—a houses which have been designed or substantially adapted for occupation by persons of a particular age group;b houses to persons who are or are to be in receipt of housing support services (within the meaning of section 91 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 10)) for persons of a particular age group.”

(5)After subsection (3) insert—“4 In the application of this section to registered social landlords, any reference to their area means the local authority area or areas, or the part of that area or those areas, in which the registered social landlord holds houses for housing purposes.”

Part 2 · Tenants of social landlords

Chapter 1 · Scottish secure tenancies

Succession

22Succession to Scottish secure tenancy#

(1)On the death of a tenant under a Scottish secure tenancy, the tenancy passes by operation of law to a qualified person.

(2)On the death of a qualified person who succeeded to a tenancy under subsection (1), the tenancy passes by operation of law to another qualified person.

(3)If, for the purpose of subsection (1) or (2), there is no qualified person, or every qualified person declines the tenancy, the tenancy is terminated.

(4)On the death of a qualified person who succeeded to a tenancy under subsection (2), the tenancy is terminated.

(5)Schedule 3, which makes provision as to who are qualified persons for the purposes of this section and as to the operation of subsections (1) and (2), has effect.

(6)Where, in a case to which paragraph 5 of schedule 3 applies—

(a)a tenancy is terminated by operation of subsection (3), and

(b)there is a person who would have been a qualified person but for that paragraph,

the landlord must make other suitable accommodation available to that person.

(7)Part 2 of schedule 2 has effect to determine whether accommodation is suitable for the purposes of subsection (6).

(8)Subsection (4) does not operate so as to terminate the Scottish secure tenancy of any tenant under a joint tenancy where such a joint tenant continues to use the house as that person’s only or principal home.

(9)Where a tenancy is terminated by operation of subsection (4) and there is a qualified person (other than a joint tenant to whom subsection (8) applies), that person is entitled to continue as tenant for a period not exceeding 6 months, but the tenancy ceases to be a Scottish secure tenancy.

(10)Where a tenant gives up a Scottish secure tenancy in order to occupy another house which is subject to a Scottish secure tenancy, following termination of the first tenancy by an order under section 16(2)(b), those tenancies are, for the purposes of this section, to be treated as being a single tenancy.

Variation

24Restriction on variation of tenancy#

(1)Despite anything in the tenancy agreement, the terms of a Scottish secure tenancy may not be varied except—

(a)by written agreement between the landlord and the tenant, or

(b)under section 25 or 26.

(2)A variation referred to in subsection (1) does not terminate the tenancy.

(3)The landlord must draw up any agreement under subsection (1)(a) and ensure that it is subscribed or authenticated by the parties in accordance with the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995 (c.7).

25Increase in rent or charges#

(1)The landlord under a Scottish secure tenancy may increase the rent or any other charge payable under the tenancy by giving the tenant notice of the increase not less than 4 weeks before the beginning of any rental period (or any earlier day on which the payment of rent in respect of that period falls to be made).

(2)Where a notice is given under subsection (1), the rent or charge is increased in relation to that and every subsequent rental period.

(3)In subsections (1) and (2), “rental period” means a period in respect of which an instalment of rent falls to be paid.

(4)Where the landlord under a Scottish secure tenancy proposes to increase the rents or any other charges payable by all, or any class of, its tenants it must, before giving notice under subsection (1)—

(a)consult those of its tenants who would be affected by the proposal, and

(b)have regard to the views expressed by those consulted.

26Variation of tenancy by court order#

(1)Where the landlord under a Scottish secure tenancy wishes to vary the terms or conditions of the tenancy, but the tenant refuses or fails to agree the variation, the landlord may raise proceedings by summary application.

(2)Where the tenant under a Scottish secure tenancy wishes to vary any term of the tenancy which restricts the tenant’s use or enjoyment of the house, on the ground that—

(a)by reason of changes in the character of the house or of the neighbourhood or other circumstances, the term is or has become unreasonable or inappropriate,

(b)the term is unduly burdensome compared with any benefit resulting from its performance, or

(c)the existence of the term impedes some reasonable use of the house,

but the landlord refuses or fails to agree the variation, the tenant may raise proceedings by summary application.

(3)In proceedings under subsection (1) or (2) the court may make such order varying any term of the tenancy (other than a term relating to the amount of rent or of any other charge payable by the tenant) as it considers reasonable in all the circumstances, having particular regard to—

(a)the safety of any person, and

(b)any likelihood of damage to the house or to any premises of which it forms part.

(4)An order under subsection (3) in proceedings under subsection (2) may require the tenant to pay to the landlord such sum (if any) as the court considers reasonable to compensate the landlord for any patrimonial loss arising from the variation.

(5)At any time before making an order in proceedings under subsection (2), the court may order the tenant to serve a copy of the application on any person who, in the capacity of owner or tenant of any land, appears to the court—

(a)to benefit from the term of which variation is sought, or

(b)to be adversely affected by the proposed variation.

Assignation, subletting and exchanges

32Assignation, subletting etc.#

(1)It is a term of every Scottish secure tenancy that the tenant may assign, sublet or otherwise give up to another person possession of the house or any part of it or take in a lodger—

(a)only with the consent in writing of the landlord, ^note...

(b)in the case of an assignation, only where the house has been the tenant's and the assignee’s only or principal home throughout the period of 12 months ending with the date of the application for the landlord’s consent to the assignation under paragraph 9 of schedule 5 and

(1A)For the purposes of an assignation mentioned in subsection (1)(b), a period may be considered in relation to a person only if—

(a)the person was the tenant of the house throughout that period, or

(b)at any time before that period began, the landlord was notified by—

(i)the person, or

(ii)any other person who was the tenant of the house in question when the notice was given,

that the house in question was the person's only or principal home.

(1B)For the purposes of a sublet mentioned in subsection (1)(c), a period may be considered in relation to a tenant only if—

(a)the tenant was the tenant of the house throughout that period, or

(b)at any time before that period began, the landlord was notified by—

(i)the tenant, or

(ii)any other person who was the tenant of the house in question when the notice was given,

that the house in question was the tenant's only or principal home.

(2)A landlord whose consent is required under subsection (1) may refuse such consent only if it has reasonable grounds for doing so.

(3)There are, in particular, reasonable grounds for refusing such consent if—

(a)a notice under section 14(2) has been served on the tenant specifying a ground set out in any of paragraphs 1 to 7 of schedule 2,

(b)an order for recovery of possession of the house has been made against the tenant under section 16(2),

(c)it appears to the landlord that a payment other than—

(i)a rent which is in its opinion a reasonable rent, or

(ii)a deposit which in its opinion is reasonable, returnable at the termination of the assignation, subletting or other transaction and given as security for the subtenant’s obligations for accounts for supplies of gas, electricity, telephone or other domestic supplies and for damage to the house or contents,

has been or is to be received by the tenant in consideration of the assignation, subletting or other transaction,

(d)the transaction for which consent is sought would lead to overcrowding of the house in such circumstances as to render the occupier guilty of an offence under section 139 of the 1987 Act, ^note...

(e)the landlord proposes to carry out work on the house or on the building of which it forms part so that the proposed work will affect the accommodation likely to be used by the subtenant or other person who would reside in the house as a result of the transaction.

(4)Where the landlord is a registered social landlord which is a co-operative housing association, any consent under subsection (1) is subject to the condition that the assignee, subtenant or other person is a member of the association when the assignation or sublease takes effect or, as the case may be, when possession is given to the other person.

(5)The Scottish Ministers may by order modify subsection (3).

(6)It is a term of every Scottish secure tenancy that, where the landlord has given consent to an assignation, subletting or other transaction under subsection (1), the tenant—

(a)must notify the landlord of any proposed increase in the rent which was payable by the subtenant at the commencement of the assignation, subletting or other transaction, and

(b)must not increase the rent if the landlord objects to the increase.

(7)An assignation, subletting or other transaction to which this section applies is not—

(a)a protected tenancy or a statutory tenancy within the meaning of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 (c.58), or

(b)an assured tenancy , or

(c)a private residential tenancy,

and Part VII (rent assessment) of that Act does not apply to such an assignation, subletting or other transaction.

(8)In this section and schedule 5, “subtenant” means a person entitled to possession of a house or any part of a house under an assignation, subletting or other transaction to which this section applies, and includes a lodger.

(9)The provisions of Part 2 of schedule 5, so far as relating to this section, have effect as terms of every Scottish secure tenancy.

(c)in the case of a sublet, only where the house has been the tenant's only or principal home throughout the period of 12 months ending with the date of the application for the landlord's consent to the sublet under paragraph 9 of schedule 5.

(f)in the case of consent to an assignation by a local authority or a registered social landlord, if the proposed assignee is not a person to whom that local authority or registered social landlord would give a reasonable preference when selecting tenants under section 20(1) of the 1987 Act, or

(g)in the case of consent to an assignation, if the assignation would in the opinion of the landlord, result in the house being under-occupied.

33Exchange of house#

(1)It is a term of every Scottish secure tenancy that the tenant may exchange the house which is the subject of the tenancy for another house which is the subject of a Scottish secure tenancy (whether or not of the same landlord) but only with the consent in writing of the landlord and (if different) the landlord of the other house.

(2)A landlord whose consent is requested under subsection (1) may refuse such consent only if it has reasonable grounds for doing so.

(3)There are, in particular, reasonable grounds for refusing such consent if—

(a)a notice under section 14(2) has been served on the tenant specifying a ground set out in any of paragraphs 1 to 7 of schedule 2,

(b)an order for recovery of possession of the house which is the subject of the current tenancy has been made against the tenant under section 16(2),

(c)that house was provided by the landlord in connection with the tenant’s employment with it,

(d)that house has been designed or adapted for occupation by a person whose special needs require accommodation of the kind provided by the house and, if the exchange took place, there would no longer be a person with such special needs occupying the house,

(e)the accommodation in the other house—

(i)is substantially larger than that required by the tenant and the tenant’s family, or

(ii)is not suitable to the needs of the tenant and the tenant’s family, or

(f)the exchange would lead to overcrowding of the house in such circumstances as to render the occupier guilty of an offence under section 139 of the 1987 Act.

(4)Where the landlord is a registered social landlord which is a co-operative housing association, any consent under subsection (1) is subject to the condition that the tenant of the other house is a member of the association when the exchange takes effect.

(5)The Scottish Ministers may by order modify subsection (3).

(6)On an exchange in accordance with this section, the existing tenancy is terminated and the tenant is taken to have been granted a Scottish secure tenancy of the other house by the landlord of that house; and this Part applies to that tenancy accordingly.

(7)The provisions of Part 2 of schedule 5, so far as relating to this section, have effect as terms of every Scottish secure tenancy.

Creation and termination of tenancy

11Scottish secure tenancy#

(1)A tenancy of a house is a Scottish secure tenancy if—

(a)the house is let as a separate dwelling,

(b)the landlord is—

(i)a local authority landlord, or

(ii)a registered social landlord, ^note...

(iii)^note. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

specified, or of a description specified, in an order made by the Scottish Ministers, or is Scottish Water,

(c)the tenant is an individual and the house is the tenant’s only or principal home,

(d)where the landlord is a registered social landlord which is a co-operative housing association, the tenant is a member of the association, and

(e)the tenancy—

(i)was created on or after such date as the order may specify in relation to the landlord, or

(ii)was created before that date and is of a description specified in the order in relation to the landlord.

(2)An order under subsection (1) may, without prejudice to section 109(2) or 110, make provision for ensuring that rights of the landlord, the tenant and any other person under or in relation to a tenancy which becomes a Scottish secure tenancy by virtue of the order are not adversely affected by the tenancy becoming a Scottish secure tenancy.

(3)In this Act, “local authority landlord” means a landlord which is a local authority, a joint board or joint committee of two or more local authorities, or the common good of a local authority, or any trust under the control of a local authority.

(4)A tenancy is not a Scottish secure tenancy if it is a tenancy of a kind mentioned in schedule 1.

(5)The tenant under a Scottish secure tenancy and one or more other individuals falling within subsection (6) may jointly apply in writing to the landlord for the other individuals to be included with the tenant as joint tenants under the tenancy; and the landlord must consent to the alteration of the tenancy unless it has reasonable grounds for not doing so.

(6)An individual falls within this subsection if the house in question is ^note... that person’s only or principal home.

(6A)An application under subsection (5) may be made only where the house in question has been the only or principal home of the person falling within subsection (6) throughout the period of 12 months ending with the date of the application.

(6B)For the purposes of subsection (6A) a period may be considered in relation to a person only if, at any time before that period began, the landlord was notified by—

(a)the person, or

(b)any other person who was the tenant of the house in question when the notice was given,

that the house in question was the person's only or principal home.

(7)It is a term of every Scottish secure tenancy that the tenant complies with paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (1).

(8)Without prejudice to sections 14 and 16 and schedule 2, a tenancy which is a Scottish secure tenancy continues to be a Scottish secure tenancy even if subsection (1)(b), (c) or (d) is no longer satisfied.

(9)Where—

(a)the house which a tenant under a Scottish secure tenancy normally occupies is not available for occupation, and

(b)the tenant is accommodated temporarily in another house the landlord of which is a local authority landlord or a registered social landlord,

the other house is to be taken, for the purposes of this Chapter except sections 12 to 16 and paragraph 4 of schedule 1, to be the house which the tenant normally occupies.

12Restriction on termination of tenancy#

(1)Despite anything in the tenancy agreement, a Scottish secure tenancy may not be brought to an end except—

(a)by an order for recovery of possession under section 16(2),

(b)by operation of section 18(2),

(c)by operation of section 22,

(d)by operation of section 35,

(e)by written agreement between the landlord and the tenant, or

(f)by 4 weeks’ notice given by the tenant to the landlord.

(2)Subsection (3) applies where—

(a)the house which a tenant under a Scottish secure tenancy normally occupies is not available for occupation, and

(b)the tenant is—

(i)by agreement, or

(ii)following an order under section 16(2) (where an order has also been made under subsection (6) of that section),

accommodated temporarily in another house the landlord of which is a landlord mentioned in section 11(1)(b).

(3)Where this subsection applies, the landlord is not entitled to bring the tenant’s occupation of the other house to an end before the house which the tenant normally occupies is available for occupation unless the Scottish secure tenancy has been brought to an end.

13Termination of joint tenant’s interest in tenancy#

A joint tenant under a Scottish secure tenancy may bring to an end that tenant’s interest in the tenancy by 4 weeks’ notice given to the landlord and each of the other joint tenants under the tenancy.

14Proceedings for recovery of possession or termination of joint tenant's interest#

(1)The landlord under a Scottish secure tenancy may raise proceedings by way of summary cause for—

(a)recovery of possession of the house;

(b)where subsection (1A) applies, termination of a tenant's interest in the tenancy.

(1A)This subsection applies where—

(a)the tenancy is a joint tenancy, and

(b)the proceedings are raised against the tenant on the ground set out in paragraph 15A of schedule 2.

(1B)In this section and section 16, “the tenant”, in relation to proceedings under subsection (1)(b), means person T (within the meaning of paragraph 15A of schedule 2).

(2)Such proceedings may not be raised unless—

(a)the landlord has served on the tenant and any qualifying occupier a notice complying with subsection (4),

(b)the proceedings are raised on or after the date specified in the notice, and

(c)the notice is in force at the time when the proceedings are raised.

(2A)Where such proceedings are to include the ground that rent lawfully due from the tenant has not been paid (as set out in paragraph 1 of schedule 2)—

(a)the notice under subsection (2) must not be served unless the landlord has complied with the pre-action requirements in section 14A, and

(b)the proceedings may not be raised unless the landlord has confirmed to the court in such form as the Scottish Ministers may prescribe by regulations that those requirements have been complied with.

(2B)Where such proceedings are to include a ground ^note... set out in paragraph 2 or 15A of schedule 2, the landlord must have regard to any guidance published by the Scottish Ministers before raising such proceedings in relation to recovering possession of the house or, as the case may be, terminating a tenant's interest in the tenancy.

(2C)Before publishing any guidance mentioned in subsection (2B), the Scottish Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate.

(3)Before serving a notice under subsection (2) the landlord must make such inquiries as may be necessary to establish so far as is reasonably practicable whether there are any qualifying occupiers of the house and, if so, their identities.

(4)A notice under subsection (2) must be in such form as the Scottish Ministers may prescribe by regulations, and must specify—

(a)the ground, being a ground set out in Part 1 of schedule 2, on which the proceedings are to be raised, ^note...

(b)a date, not earlier than—

(i)4 weeks from the date of service of the notice, or

(ii)the date on which the tenancy could have been brought to an end by a notice to quit had it not been a Scottish secure tenancy,

whichever is later, on or after which the landlord may raise the proceedings, and

(c)where subsection (2A) applies, the steps taken by the landlord which the landlord considers to constitute compliance with the pre-action requirements in section 14A.

(5)A notice under subsection (2) ceases to be in force 6 months after the date specified in it in accordance with subsection (4)(b) or when it is withdrawn by the landlord, whichever is earlier.

(5A)Where a landlord raises proceedings under this section, the landlord must give notice of the raising of the proceedings to the local authority in whose area the house in question is situated, unless the landlord is that local authority.

(5B)Notice under subsection (5A) is to be given in the form and manner prescribed under section 11(3) of the Homelessness etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 10).

(5C)Where a landlord raises proceedings under subsection (1) which include the ground set out in paragraph 15A of schedule 2, the landlord must, as soon as reasonably practicable after raising the proceedings, give the tenant and any qualifying occupier advice and assistance in relation to the finding of alternative accommodation in the event that an order is made under section 16(2) or (3ZA).

(5D)The landlord must, in exercising the function conferred by subsection (5C), have regard to any guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers about the exercise of that function.

(5E)Before publishing any guidance under subsection (5D), the Scottish Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate.

(6)In this section and section 15, “qualifying occupier” means a person who occupies the house as that person’s only or principal home and who is—

(a)a member of the tenant’s family aged at least 16 years,

(aa)in relation to proceedings raised or to be raised under this section on the ground set out in paragraph 15A of schedule 2, person P within the meaning of that paragraph,

(b)a person to whom the tenant has, with the landlord’s consent under section 32(1), assigned, sublet or otherwise given up possession of the house or any part of it, or

(c)a person whom the tenant has, with such consent, taken in as a lodger.

14APre-action requirements where grounds for possession include rent arrears#

(1)The pre-action requirements referred to in section 14(2A) are set out in subsections (2) to (7) below.

(2)The landlord must provide the tenant with clear information about—

(a)the terms of the tenancy agreement, and

(b)outstanding rent and any other outstanding financial obligation of the tenancy.

(3)The landlord must make reasonable efforts to provide the tenant with advice and assistance on the tenant's eligibility to receive—

(a)housing benefit, and

(b)other types of financial assistance (for example, other benefits or grants).

(4)The landlord must provide the tenant with information about sources of advice and assistance in relation to management of debt.

(5)The landlord must make reasonable efforts to agree with the tenant a reasonable plan for future payments to the landlord, such plan to include proposals in respect of—

(a)future payments of rent, and

(b)outstanding rent and any other outstanding financial obligation of the tenancy.

(6)The landlord must not serve a notice under section 14(2) if—

(a)an application for housing benefit for the tenant—

(i)has been made but has not yet been determined, and

(ii)is, in the opinion of the landlord, likely to result in the benefit being paid at a level allowing the tenant to pay, or reduce by an amount acceptable to the landlord, the outstanding rent and any other outstanding financial obligation of the tenancy,

(b)the tenant is taking other steps which, in the opinion of the landlord, are likely to result in the payment to the landlord within a reasonable time of—

(i)the outstanding rent, and

(ii)any other outstanding financial obligation of the tenancy, or

(c)the tenant is complying with the terms of a plan agreed to in accordance with subsection (5).

(7)The landlord, unless it is a local authority landlord, must encourage the tenant to contact the local authority in whose area the house is situated.

(8)In complying with the pre-action requirements the landlord must have regard to any guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers.

(9)The Scottish Ministers may by order make further provision about the pre-action requirements, including provision—

(a)specifying particular steps to be taken, or not to be taken, by a landlord in complying with any requirement;

(b)modifying or removing any requirement.

(10)In this section, “housing benefit” has the same meaning as in section 123 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (c.4).

15Rights of qualifying occupiers in possession proceedings#

Where a qualifying occupier applies to the court to be sisted as a party to proceedings under section 14, the court must grant the application.

16Powers of court in proceedings for recovery of possession or termination of joint tenant's interest#

(1)The court may, as it thinks fit, adjourn proceedings under section 14 on a ground set out in any of paragraphs 1 to 7, 15 and 15A of schedule 2 for a period or periods, with or without imposing conditions as to payment of outstanding rent or otherwise.

(2)Subject to subsection (1), in proceedings under section 14(1)(a) the court must make an order for recovery of possession if it appears to the court—

(a)that—

(i)the landlord has a ground for recovery of possession set out in any of paragraphs 1 to 7 of that schedule and specified in the notice required by section 14, and

(ii)it is reasonable to make the order,

(aa)whether or not paragraph (a) applies, that—

(i)the landlord has a ground for recovery of possession set out in paragraph 2 of that schedule and so specified, and

(ii)the landlord served the notice under section 14(2) before the day which is 12 months after—

(A)the day on which the person was convicted of the offence forming the ground for recovery of possession, or

(B)where that conviction was appealed, the day on which the appeal is dismissed or abandoned,

(b)that—

(i)the landlord has a ground for recovery of possession set out in any of paragraphs 8 to 14 of that schedule and so specified, and

(ii)other suitable accommodation will be available for the tenant when the order takes effect, or

(c)that—

(i)the landlord has a ground for recovery of possession set out in paragraph 15 of that schedule and so specified,

(ii)it is reasonable to make the order, and

(iii)other suitable accommodation will be available for the tenant when the order takes effect,

(d)that—

(i)the landlord has a ground for recovery of possession set out in paragraph 15A of that schedule and so specified,

(ii)the tenant is the sole tenant, and

(iii)it is reasonable to make the order,

(e)whether or not paragraph (d) applies, that—

(i)the landlord has a ground for recovery of possession set out in paragraph 15A of that schedule and so specified,

(ii)the tenant is the sole tenant,

(iii)the tenant has been convicted of an offence—

(A)in respect of the abusive behaviour referred to in sub-paragraph (1) of that paragraph, and

(B)which is punishable by imprisonment, and

(iv)the landlord served the notice under section 14(2) before the day which is 12 months after—

(A)the day on which the tenant was convicted of the offence, or

(B)where that conviction was appealed, the day on which the appeal was dismissed or abandoned.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2)(a)(ii) the court is to have regard, in particular, to—

(a)the nature, frequency and duration of—

(i)where the ground for recovery of possession is one set out in any of paragraphs 1 and 3 to 7 of schedule 2, the conduct taken into account by the court in concluding that the ground is established,

(ii)where the ground for recovery of possession is that set out in paragraph 2 of that schedule, the conduct in respect of which the person in question was convicted,

(b)the extent to which that conduct is or was conduct of, or a consequence of acts or omissions of, persons other than the tenant,

(c)the effect which that conduct has had, is having and is likely to have on any person other than the tenant, and

(d)any action taken by the landlord, before raising the proceedings, with a view to securing the cessation of that conduct.

(3A)Subsections (2) and (3ZA) do not affect any other rights that the tenant may have by virtue of any other enactment or rule of law.

(3ZA)Subject to subsection (1), in proceedings under section 14(1)(b) the court must make an order for termination of the tenant's interest in the tenancy if it appears to the court—

(a)that—

(i)the landlord has a ground for termination of the tenant's interest in the tenancy set out in paragraph 15A of that schedule and specified in the notice required by section 14, and

(ii)it is reasonable to make the order,

(b)whether or not paragraph (a) applies, that—

(i)the landlord has a ground for termination of the tenant's interest in the tenancy set out in paragraph 15A of that schedule and so specified,

(ii)the tenant has been convicted of an offence—

(A)in respect of the abusive behaviour referred to in sub-paragraph (1) of that paragraph, and

(B)which is punishable by imprisonment, and

(iii)the landlord served the notice under section 14(2) before the day which is 12 months after—

(A)the day on which the tenant was convicted of the offence, or

(B)where that conviction was appealed, the day on which the appeal was dismissed or abandoned.

(3ZB)For the purposes of subsections (2)(d)(iii) and (3ZA)(a)(ii), the court is to have regard, in particular, to any risk that the tenant will engage in further behaviour of the kind mentioned in paragraph 15A of schedule 2.

(4)Part 2 of schedule 2 has effect to determine whether accommodation is suitable for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) or (c).

(5)An order under subsection (2) must appoint a date for recovery of possession and has the effect of—

(a)terminating the tenancy, and

(b)giving the landlord the right to recover possession of the house,

at that date.

(5A)Where an order is made under subsection (2) in proceedings under section 14 on the ground that rent lawfully due from the tenant has not been paid (as set out in paragraph 1 of schedule 2) or on grounds including that ground—

(a)subsection (5)(a) does not apply,

(b)the tenancy is terminated only if the landlord recovers possession of the house in pursuance of the order,

(c)the order must specify the period for which the landlord's right to recover possession of the house is to have effect (being no longer than any maximum period which the Scottish Ministers by order prescribe), and

(d)the landlord must have regard to any guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers about recovery of possession in pursuance of the order.

(5B)Before making an order under subsection (5A)(c) or issuing guidance under subsection (5A)(d), the Scottish Ministers must consult—

(a)such bodies representing local authorities,

(b)such registered social landlords or bodies representing them,

(c)such bodies representing tenants' interests, and

(d)such other persons,

as they think fit.

(5C)An order under subsection (3ZA) has the effect of bringing to an end the tenant's interest in the tenancy on the date specified in the order.

(6)Where, in proceedings under section 14 on the ground set out in paragraph 10 of schedule 2, it appears to the court that the landlord intends that—

(a)substantial work will be carried out on the building (or a part of the building) which comprises or includes the house, and

(b)the tenant should return to the house after the work is completed,

the court must make an order that the tenant is entitled to return to the house after the work is completed; and subsection (5)(a) does not apply in such a case.

(7)The landlord must, no later than 28 days after the date of termination of a tenancy which is terminated on the ground set out in paragraph 15A of schedule 2 (or on grounds including that ground), offer a tenancy of the house (beginning as soon as reasonably practicable) to person P.

(8)But the landlord need not comply with the duty imposed by subsection (7) if it is impossible or inappropriate to do so because of circumstances relating to person P.

(9)The landlord must have regard to any guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers about subsections (7) and (8).

(10)The references in subsections (7) and (8) to person P are to the person who, in relation to the house, is person P within the meaning of paragraph 15A of schedule 2.

17Abandoned tenancies#

(1)This section applies where a landlord under a Scottish secure tenancy has reasonable grounds for believing that—

(a)the house is unoccupied, and

(b)the tenant does not intend to occupy it as the tenant’s home.

(2)The landlord may enter the house at any time for the purpose of securing the house and any fittings, fixtures or furniture against vandalism.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2), the landlord and its servants or agents may open, by force if necessary, doors and lockfast places.

(4)The landlord may take possession of the house in accordance with section 18.

18Repossession#

(1)A landlord wishing to take possession of a house under section 17(4) must serve on the tenant a notice—

(a)stating that the landlord has reason to believe that the house is unoccupied and that the tenant does not intend to occupy it as the tenant’s home,

(b)requiring the tenant to inform the landlord in writing within 4 weeks of service of the notice if the tenant intends to occupy the house as the tenant’s home, and

(c)informing the tenant that, if it appears to the landlord at the end of that period that the tenant does not intend so to occupy the house, the tenancy will be terminated with immediate effect.

(2)Where—

(a)the landlord has—

(i)served on the tenant a notice complying with subsection (1), and

(ii)made such inquiries as may be necessary to satisfy the landlord that the house is unoccupied and that the tenant does not intend to occupy it as the tenant’s home, and

(b)at the end of the period mentioned in subsection (1)(b) the landlord is so satisfied,

the landlord may serve a further notice on the tenant bringing the tenancy to an end with immediate effect.

(3)Where a tenancy has been terminated in accordance with this section the landlord is entitled to take possession of the house without any further proceedings.

(4)The Scottish Ministers may by order make provision for the landlord, in taking possession of the house, to secure the safe custody and delivery to the tenant of any property which is found in a house to which this section applies and, in particular—

(a)for requiring charges to be paid in respect of such property before it is delivered to the tenant, and

(b)for authorising the disposal of such property, if the tenant has not arranged for its delivery to the tenant before the expiry of such period as the order may specify, and the application of any proceeds towards any costs incurred by the landlord and any rent due but unpaid by the tenant to the landlord.

19Tenant’s recourse to court#

(1)A tenant under a Scottish secure tenancy who is aggrieved by termination of the tenancy by the landlord under section 18(2) may raise proceedings by summary application within 6 months after the date of the termination.

(2)Subsection (3) applies where, in proceedings under this section, it appears to the court that the landlord—

(a)has failed to comply with any provision of section 18,

(b)did not have reasonable grounds for finding—

(i)that the house was unoccupied, or

(ii)that the tenant did not intend to occupy it as the tenant’s home, or

(c)was in error in finding that the tenant did not intend to occupy the house as the tenant’s home, and the tenant had reasonable cause, by reason of illness or otherwise, for failing to notify the landlord of the tenant’s intention so to occupy it.

(3)Where this subsection applies the court must—

(a)if the house has not been let to a new tenant, grant a declarator that the notice under section 18(2) is of no effect, or

(b)in any other case, direct the landlord to make other suitable accommodation available to the tenant.

(4)On granting a declarator under subsection (3)(a) the court may make such further order in relation to the Scottish secure tenancy as it thinks fit.

(5)Part 2 of schedule 2 has effect to determine whether accommodation is suitable for the purposes of subsection (3)(b).

20Abandonment by joint tenant#

(1)This section applies where a landlord under a Scottish secure tenancy has reasonable grounds for believing that a joint tenant under the tenancy (the “abandoning tenant”)—

(a)is not occupying the house, and

(b)does not intend to occupy it as the tenant’s home.

(2)A landlord wishing to bring to an end the interest of an abandoning tenant in the tenancy must serve on the abandoning tenant a notice—

(a)stating that the landlord has reason to believe that the abandoning tenant is not occupying the house and does not intend to occupy it as the tenant’s home,

(b)requiring the abandoning tenant to inform the landlord in writing within 4 weeks of service of the notice if the abandoning tenant intends to occupy the house as the tenant’s home, and

(c)informing the abandoning tenant that, if it appears to the landlord at the end of that period that the abandoning tenant does not intend so to occupy the house, the abandoning tenant’s interest in the tenancy will be brought to an end by the service of a notice under subsection (3).

(3)Where—

(a)the landlord has—

(i)served on the abandoning tenant a notice complying with subsection (2), and

(ii)made such inquiries as may be necessary to satisfy the landlord that the abandoning tenant is not occupying the house and does not intend to occupy it as the tenant’s home, and

(b)at the end of the period mentioned in subsection (2)(b) the landlord is so satisfied,

the landlord may serve a further notice on the abandoning tenant bringing the abandoning tenant’s interest in the tenancy to an end with effect from a date specified in the notice, being a date not earlier than 8 weeks after the date of service of the notice.

(4)A landlord serving a notice on an abandoning tenant under subsection (2) or (3) must serve a copy of the notice on each of the other joint tenants under the tenancy.

21Joint tenancies: abandoning tenant’s recourse to court#

(1)A joint tenant under a Scottish secure tenancy who is aggrieved by the bringing to an end of the tenant’s interest in the tenancy under subsection (3) of section 20 may raise proceedings by summary application within 8 weeks after the date of service of the notice under that subsection.

(2)Subsection (3) of this section applies where, in proceedings under this section, it appears to the court that the landlord—

(a)has failed to comply with any provision of section 20,

(b)did not have reasonable grounds for finding that the tenant—

(i)was not occupying the house, or

(ii)did not intend to occupy it as the tenant’s home, or

(3)Where this subsection applies, the court must—

(a)grant a declarator that the notice under section 20(3) is of no effect, or

(b)if it would be unreasonable to grant such a declarator, direct the landlord to make other suitable accommodation available to the tenant.

(4)On granting a declarator under subsection (3)(a) the court may make such further order in relation to the tenant’s interest in the tenancy as it thinks fit.

(5)Part 2 of schedule 2 has effect to determine whether accommodation is suitable for the purposes of subsection (3)(b).

Keeping pets

31BPower to make provision about when a consent condition for keeping a pet is reasonable#

(1)For the purpose of paragraph 8C(b) of schedule 5, the Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision about when a condition mentioned in that paragraph (to which consent to keep a pet is subject) is reasonable.

(2)Regulations under subsection (1) may in particular specify—

(a)circumstances in which a condition, or type of condition, is or is not reasonable,

(b)factors that tend to show that a condition is or is not reasonable.

(3)The Scottish Ministers must, as soon as reasonably practicable after the day on which subsection (1) takes effect, lay before the Scottish Parliament a draft Scottish statutory instrument containing the first regulations under that subsection.

(4)If the Scottish Parliament approves the draft Scottish statutory instrument, the Scottish Ministers must make the regulations contained in the draft instrument.

31CPower to make provision about when it is reasonable to refuse consent to keep a pet#

(1)For the purpose of paragraph 8C(c) of schedule 5, the Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision about when it is reasonable for a landlord to refuse to consent to a tenant keeping a pet at a house.

(2)Regulations under subsection (1) may in particular specify—

(a)circumstances in which it is or is not reasonable to refuse such consent,

(b)factors that tend to show that the refusal of such consent is or is not reasonable.

31DRegulations under sections 31B and 31C: consultation#

Before laying a draft of a Scottish statutory instrument containing regulations under section 31B or 31C before the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Ministers—

(a)must consult persons who appear to them to represent the interests of tenants and landlords affected by the regulations, and

(b)may consult any other person they consider appropriate.

Miscellaneous and general

38Appeals#

(1)A person who is aggrieved by a decision of a landlord mentioned in section 11(1)(b) to make a house available to the person for occupancy on the basis of—

(a)an occupancy agreement instead of a Scottish secure tenancy or a short Scottish secure tenancy,

(b)a tenancy which is not a Scottish secure tenancy or a short Scottish secure tenancy, or

(c)a short Scottish secure tenancy instead of a Scottish secure tenancy,

may raise proceedings by summary application.

(2)In such proceedings the court may, if it considers that there are good grounds for doing so, order the landlord to let the house to the person under a Scottish secure tenancy or, as the case may be, a short Scottish secure tenancy.

39Application of sections 23 to 33 to other tenancies#

Where a tenancy is excluded from being a Scottish secure tenancy only by the operation of paragraph 1 or 9 of schedule 1, sections 23 to 33 apply to the tenancy as if it were a Scottish secure tenancy.

40Notices#

(1)A notice or other document authorised or required by this Chapter to be given to a person (however expressed) may be given—

(a)by delivering it to that person,

(b)by leaving it at that person’s proper address, or

(c)by sending it by recorded delivery letter to that person at that address.to that person’s proper address by means of a postal service which provides for the delivery of the notice or other document to be recorded.

(1A)For the purpose of subsection (1)(c), the delivery of a notice or other document may be recorded in any way that evidences that it was delivered to the person’s proper address (including in a way that evidences this without the need for the person to confirm the delivery).

(2)For the purposes of subsection (1) and of paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 to the Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Publication and Interpretation etc. of Acts of the Scottish Parliament) Order 1999 (S.I.1999/1379), a person’s proper address is that person’s last known address.

(3)A notice to be given by a landlord to a tenant under section 25(1) may also be given by sending it, where subsection (4) applies, to the tenant using electronic communications.

(4)This subsection applies where, before the notice is given, the landlord and the tenant agree in writing that the notice may be given to the tenant by transmitting it to an electronic address and in an electronic form specified by the tenant for the purpose.

41Interpretation of Chapter 1#

In this Chapter, unless otherwise expressly provided—• “co-operative housing association” has the meaning given in section 300(1)(b) of the 1987 Act,• “court” means the sheriff court for the district in which is situated the house to which the tenancy in question relates, and “proceedings” means proceedings in that court,• “landlord” means a person who lets a house to a tenant for human habitation, and includes any person from time to time deriving title under the original landlord,• “notice” means notice in writing,• “tenancy” means an agreement under which a house is made available for human habitation, and “lease” and related expressions are to be construed accordingly,• “tenant” means a person who leases a house from a landlord and whose right in the house derives directly from the landlord, and in the case of a joint tenancy means all the tenants.

Repairs and improvements

27Repairs#

(1)Schedule 4, which makes provision about the landlord’s obligations to repair a house let under a Scottish secure tenancy, has effect.

(2)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision for or in connection with entitling a tenant under a Scottish secure tenancy whose landlord is a landlord specified in the regulations to have qualifying repairs carried out to the house which is the subject of the tenancy.

(3)Regulations under subsection (2) may, in particular, make provision for or in connection with—

(a)the maximum amount payable in respect of any single qualifying repair,

(aa)the period within which an inspection of the house is to take place to determine whether a qualifying repair is required,

(ab)the period within which a qualifying repair is to be commenced,

(b)the period within which a qualifying repair is to be completed, ^note...

(c)the repairs which are qualifying repairs for the purposes of this section,

(d)compensation payable in relation to a failure to comply with a requirement imposed by the regulations,

(e)any review or appeal in relation to a failure to comply with a requirement imposed by the regulations.

28Landlord’s consent to work#

(1)It is a term of every Scottish secure tenancy that the tenant is not to carry out work, other than interior decoration, in relation to the house without the consent in writing of the landlord, which must not be unreasonably withheld.

(2)In this section and Part 1 of schedule 5, “work” means—

(a)alteration, improvement or enlargement of the house or of any fittings or fixtures,

(b)addition of new fittings or fixtures,

(c)erection of a garage, shed or other structure,

but does not include repairs or maintenance of any of these.

(3)The provisions of Part 1 of schedule 5 have effect as terms of every Scottish secure tenancy.

(4)The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance to landlords as to the standards to which different descriptions of work should be carried out and as to the matters to which landlords should have regard in considering imposing conditions under paragraph 2(b) of schedule 5 as to the standard of work.

29Reimbursement of cost of work#

(1)On the termination of a Scottish secure tenancy, the landlord may (without prejudice to any other power to that effect) make any payment to the tenant which it considers appropriate in respect of improvement work carried out by the tenant (or by any predecessor of the tenant under the same tenancy) with the landlord’s consent under section 28.

(2)The amount of any payment under subsection (1) must not exceed the cost of the work in respect of which it is made, after deduction of the amount of any grant paid or payable under Part XIII (grants for improvement, repairs etc.) of the 1987 Act.

(3)Where a Scottish secure tenancy is terminated (under section 22(3) or (4)) by the death of the tenant, a payment under subsection (1) may be made to the tenant’s personal representatives.

30Right to compensation for improvements#

(1)For the purposes of this section—• “qualifying improvement work” is improvement work which is prescribed as such and which is begun not earlier than the commencement of this section,• “qualifying person” is a person who is, immediately before the tenancy is terminated, a tenant under a Scottish secure tenancy, and—(a) is the tenant who carried out the qualifying improvement work,(b) is a tenant of a joint tenancy which existed at the time the work was carried out, or(c) succeeded to the tenancy under section 22 on the death of the tenant who carried out the work and the tenancy did not cease to be a Scottish secure tenancy on the succession.

(2)For the purposes of this section, a tenancy is terminated when—

(a)any of the circumstances of subsection (1) of section 12 apply and, in a case where the termination is under paragraph (d), (e) or (f) of that subsection, the house is vacated,

(b)there is a change of landlord, or

(c)it is assigned to a new tenant.

(3)Where the tenant under a Scottish secure tenancy has carried out qualifying improvement work with the consent of the landlord under section 28, a qualifying person is on the termination of the tenancy entitled to be paid compensation by the landlord in respect of the work.

(4)Compensation is not payable if—

(a)the tenancy comes to an end in prescribed circumstances,

(b)compensation has been paid under section 29 in respect of the improvement, or

(c)the amount of any compensation which would otherwise be payable is less than such amount as may be prescribed.

(5)Regulations under this section may provide that—

(a)any compensation payable is to be—

(i)determined by the landlord in such manner and taking into account such matters as may be prescribed, or

(ii)calculated in such manner and taking into account such matters as may be prescribed, and is not to exceed such amount, if any, as may be prescribed,

(b)the landlord may set off against any compensation payable under this section any sums owed to it by any qualifying person.

(6)Where, in the case of two or more qualifying persons, one of them (“the missing person”) cannot be found—

(a)a claim for compensation under this section may be made by, and compensation may be paid to, the other qualifying person or persons, but

(b)the missing person is entitled to recover the missing person’s share of any compensation so paid from the other qualifying person or persons.

(7)Regulations under this section may—

(a)provide for the manner in which and the period within which claims for compensation under this section are to be made, and for the procedure to be followed in determining such claims,

(b)prescribe the form of any document required to be used for the purposes of or in connection with such claims, and

(c)provide for the determination of questions arising under the regulations.

(8)In this section, “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.

31Effect of work on rent#

In assessing the rent to be payable under a Scottish secure tenancy by—

(a)a tenant who has carried out work on the house,

(b)a person who has succeeded that tenant in the tenancy, or

(c)the spouse or civil partner of a person mentioned in paragraph (b) or a person living with that person as husband and wife or in a relationship which has the characteristics of the relationship between civil partners ,

no account is to be taken at any time of any improvement in the value or amenities of the house resulting from the work.

Short Scottish secure tenancies

34Short Scottish secure tenancies#

(1)A tenancy of a house is a short Scottish secure tenancy if—

(a)it would have been a Scottish secure tenancy but for this section,

(b)it is for a term of not less than 6 months, and

(c)before its creation, the prospective landlord serves on the prospective tenant a notice under subsection (4).

(2)A prospective landlord may serve a notice under subsection (4) only where any of the paragraphs of schedule 6 is satisfied.

(3)The Scottish Ministers may by order modify that schedule.

(4)A notice under this subsection—

(a)must be in such form as the Scottish Ministers may prescribe by regulations,

(b)must state that the tenancy to which it relates is to be a short Scottish secure tenancy and specify the paragraph of that schedule which is satisfied in relation to it, and

(c)must specify the term of the tenancy.

(5)At the ish of the tenancy it may continue—

(a)by tacit relocation, or

(b)by express agreement,

and the continued tenancy is a short Scottish secure tenancy despite subsection (1) not being satisfied.

(5A)Subsection (5) does not apply to a tenancy mentioned in subsection (6A).

(6)The provisions of this Chapter, except sections 11(2) and (4), 12 and 22 and schedules 1 and 3, apply to a short Scottish secure tenancy as they do to a Scottish secure tenancy.

(6A)A tenancy which is a short Scottish secure tenancy by virtue of section 35 or paragraph 1, 2 or 2A of schedule 6 has a term of 12 months from the day on which the tenancy is granted.

(7)Where a tenancy is a short Scottish secure tenancy by virtue of section 35 or paragraph 1 , 2 or 2A of schedule 6 the landlord must provide, or ensure the provision of, such housing support services as it considers appropriate with a view to enabling the conversion of the tenancy to a Scottish secure tenancy by virtue of section 37.

(8)The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance as to the housing support services which are appropriate for the purposes of subsection (7).

(9)A landlord must have regard to any guidance published by the Scottish Ministers—

(a)before creating a tenancy which is a short Scottish secure tenancy by virtue of section 35 or paragraph 1, 2 or 2A of schedule 6, and

(b)when taking any steps in relation to such a tenancy with a view to—

(i)extending the term of the tenancy under section 35A, or

(ii)raising proceedings for the recovery of possession of the house under section 36.

(10)Before publishing any guidance mentioned in subsection (9), the Scottish Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate.

35Conversion to short Scottish secure tenancy#

(1)A Scottish secure tenancy of a house becomes a short Scottish secure tenancy by virtue of this section immediately on the landlord serving on the tenant a notice under subsection (3).

(2)The landlord may serve a notice under subsection (3) only where—

(a)the tenant (or any one of joint tenants) or a person residing or lodging with, or a subtenant of, the tenant is subject to an antisocial behaviour order under—

(i)section 234AA of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c.46), or

(ii)section 4 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 8), or

(b)the tenant (or any one of joint tenants), a person residing or lodging with, or a subtenant of, the tenant, or a person visiting the house has, within the period of 3 years preceding the date of service of the notice—

(i)acted in an antisocial manner in relation to another person residing in, visiting or otherwise engaged in lawful activity in the locality of a house occupied by the person, or

(ii)pursued a course of conduct amounting to harassment of such other person, or a course of conduct which is otherwise antisocial conduct in relation to such other person.

(3)A notice under this subsection must—

(a)state that the Scottish secure tenancy to which it relates becomes a short Scottish secure tenancy by virtue of service of the notice,^note...

(b)specify the tenant or other person who is subject to the anti-social behaviour order or, as the case may be, has behaved as described in subsection (2)(b),

(c)if the notice is served under subsection (2)(b), specify—

(i)the actions of the tenant or other person which the landlord has taken into account, and

(ii)the landlord's reasons for serving the notice, and

(d)explain the right of appeal conferred by subsection (5).

(3A)A short Scottish secure tenancy created by virtue of this section has a term of 12 months from the day on which the landlord serves a notice under subsection (3).

(4)Where a tenancy becomes a short Scottish secure tenancy by virtue of this section—

(a)subsection (5) of section 34 does not apply to the tenancy, but

(b)otherwise subsection (6) of that section does apply to the tenancy.

(5)Where a Scottish secure tenancy becomes a short Scottish secure tenancy by virtue of this section, a tenant who is aggrieved by the conversion may raise proceedings by summary application.

(6)In such proceedings the court may, if it considers that there are good grounds for doing so, grant a declarator that the notice under subsection (3) is of no effect.

(7)In this section —• “antisocial”, in relation to an action or course of conduct, means causing or likely to cause alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance,• “conduct” includes speech, and a course of conduct must involve conduct on at least two occasions, and• “harassment” is to be construed in accordance with section 8 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (c.40).

35AExtension of term of short Scottish secure tenancy#

(1)The landlord under a tenancy which is a short Scottish secure tenancy by virtue of section 35 or paragraph 1, 2 or 2A of schedule 6 may extend the term of that tenancy by 6 months from the day which would otherwise be the day of expiry of the tenancy.

(2)Such an extension may not be made unless—

(a)the tenant is in receipt of housing support services, and

(b)the landlord has, on or before the day which is 2 months before the day which would otherwise be the day of expiry of the tenancy, served on the tenant a notice informing the tenant of—

(i)the extension, and

(ii)the reasons for the extension.

(3)A landlord may not give a notice if the landlord has previously given a notice under subsection (2) in relation to that short Scottish secure tenancy.

36Recovery of possession#

(1)The landlord under a short Scottish secure tenancy may raise proceedings by way of summary cause for recovery of possession of the house which is the subject of the tenancy.

(2)Such proceedings may not be raised unless—

(a)the landlord has served on the tenant a notice complying with subsection (3),

(aa)in the case of a short Scottish secure tenancy created by virtue of section 35 or paragraph 1, 2 or 2A of schedule 6, the landlord considers that any obligation of the tenancy has been broken,

(b)the proceedings are raised on or after the date specified in the notice, and

(c)the notice is in force at the time when the proceedings are raised.

(3)A notice under subsection (2) must be in such form as the Scottish Ministers may prescribe by regulations, and must—

(a)state that the landlord requires possession of the house,

(aa)state the reason why the landlord is seeking recovery of possession (including, in a case where subsection (2)(aa) applies, the obligations which the landlord considers to have been broken),

(b)specify a date, not earlier than—

(i)2 months, or such longer period as the tenancy agreement may provide, from the date of service of the notice, or

(ii)the date on which the tenancy could have been brought to an end by a notice to quit had it not been a short Scottish secure tenancy,

whichever is later, on or after which the landlord may raise proceedings for recovery of possession.

(4)A notice under subsection (2) ceases to be in force 6 months after the date specified in it in accordance with subsection (3)(b) or when it is withdrawn by the landlord, whichever is earlier.

(4A)A tenant may, before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day of service of a notice under subsection (2), apply to the landlord for a review of a decision to seek recovery of possession of the house which is the subject of the tenancy.

(4B)If an application for a review under subsection (4A) is made, the landlord must, before the day specified in the notice by virtue of subsection (3)(b)—

(a)confirm its decision to seek recovery of possession or withdraw its notice under subsection (2),

(b)notify the tenant of its decision on the review, and

(c)where its decision on the review is to confirm the decision to seek recovery of possession, notify the tenant of the reasons.

(4C)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make further provision about the procedure to be followed in connection with a review following an application under subsection (4A).

(5)The court must make an order for recovery of possession if it appears to the court that—

(a)the tenancy has reached the ish referred to in section 34(5) or, in a case where subsection (2)(aa) applies, the end of the term applicable to the tenancy in accordance with section 34(6A), 35(3A) or 35A(1),

(b)tacit relocation is not operating,

(c)no further contractual tenancy (whether or not a short Scottish secure tenancy) is in existence, and

(d)subsection (2) has been complied with.

(6)An order under subsection (5) must appoint a date for recovery of possession and has the effect of—

(a)terminating the tenancy, and

(b)giving the landlord the right to recover possession of the house,

at that date.

(6A)Where a landlord raises proceedings under this section, the landlord must give notice of the raising of the proceedings to the local authority in whose area the house in question is situated, unless the landlord is that local authority.

(6B)Notice under subsection (6A) is to be given in the form and manner prescribed under section 11(3) of the Homelessness etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 10).

(7)This section is without prejudice to sections 14 and 16 , but subject to the modification mentioned in subsection (8).

(8)In relation to the recovery of possession of the house which is the subject of a short Scottish secure tenancy, section 14(4) is to be read as if for paragraph (b) there were substituted—“b a date, not earlier than 4 weeks from the date of service of the notice on or after which the landlord may raise proceedings for recovery of possession,”

37Conversion to Scottish secure tenancy#

(1)Where—

(a)a tenancy is a short Scottish secure tenancy by virtue of section 35 or paragraph 1 , 2 or 2A of schedule 6, and

(b)the landlord has not ^note...served on the tenant a notice under section 14(2) or 36(2) before the expiry of the relevant period,

the tenancy becomes, by virtue of this section, a Scottish secure tenancy with effect from the expiry of the relevant period.

(1A)In this section, the “relevant period” is—

(a)the period of 12 months following the creation of the tenancy, or

(b)if an extension notice has been served under section 35A, the period of 18 months following the creation of the tenancy.

(2)Where subsection (1)(a) applies and the landlord has, in the relevant period , served a notice referred to in subsection (1)(b), then—

(a)if the notice—

(i)has ceased to be in force in accordance with section 14(5) or, as the case may be, 36(4), or

(ii)has been withdrawn by the landlord without proceedings for recovery of possession having been raised,

the tenancy becomes, by virtue of this section, a Scottish secure tenancy with effect from the date on which the notice ceased to be in force or was withdrawn or the expiry of the relevant period , whichever is the later,

(b)if proceedings for recovery of possession have been raised and have been finally determined in favour of the tenant, the tenancy becomes, by virtue of this section, a Scottish secure tenancy with effect from the date on which the proceedings were finally determined or the expiry of the relevant period , whichever is the later.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2)(b) proceedings are finally determined when—

(a)the period for appealing against the interlocutor disposing of the proceedings has expired without an appeal being lodged, or

(b)where an appeal has been lodged, the appeal is withdrawn or finally determined.

(4)Where a tenancy becomes a Scottish secure tenancy by virtue of this section, the landlord must notify the tenant of that fact and of the date on which the tenancy became a Scottish secure tenancy.

(5)Subsection (6) applies to a tenancy which—

(a)became a short Scottish secure tenancy by virtue of section 35, and

(b)becomes a Scottish secure tenancy by virtue of this section.

(6)The term of the tenancy is the term which applied immediately before the tenancy became a short Scottish secure tenancy.

Tenancy agreement and information

23Tenant’s right to written tenancy agreement and information#

(1)The landlord under a Scottish secure tenancy must—

(a)draw up a tenancy agreement stating (expressly or by reference) the terms of the tenancy,

(b)ensure that it is, before the commencement of the tenancy, subscribed or authenticated by the landlord and the tenant in accordance with the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995 (c.7), and

(c)supply a copy to the tenant.

(2)The tenant is not liable for any fees in respect of anything done under subsection (1).

(3)The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance as to the form and content of a tenancy agreement; and such guidance may include, in particular, a model tenancy agreement.

(4)Before the creation of a Scottish secure tenancy the landlord must provide the tenant with information about—

(a)the tenant’s right under Part III of the 1987 Act to purchase the house which is the subject of the tenancy, and

(b)the obligations which the tenant is likely to incur if that right is exercised, including any obligation to maintain any building of which the house forms part and any common areas.

(5)Where the tenant’s right under that Part to purchase the house is affected by any amendment to that Part or the exercise of any power conferred by that Part, the landlord must inform the tenant of that fact and of the extent to which the tenant’s right to purchase is affected.

(6)The landlord under a Scottish secure tenancy must provide the tenant with information about its complaints procedure and must, if the tenant so requests, provide the tenant with information about—

(a)the terms of the tenancy,

(b)the landlord’s policy and procedure in relation to setting of rent and charges,

(c)the landlord’s policy and rules in relation to—

(i)admission of applicants to any housing list,

(ii)priority of allocation of houses,

(iii)transfers of tenants between houses owned by the landlord,

(iv)exchanges of houses owned by the landlord with houses owned by other bodies,

(v)repairs and maintenance,

(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e)the obligations which the tenant is likely to incur if the tenant’s right under that Part to purchase the house is exercised, including any obligation to maintain any building of which the house forms part and any common areas,

(f)where the landlord is a local authority landlord or a registered social landlord, the landlord’s tenant participation strategy,

(g)the landlord’s arrangements for taking decisions in the exercise of its functions in relation to the management of housing accommodation and the provision of related services by it.

Chapter 2 · Right to buy

42The qualifying conditions#

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43Exemptions from right to buy#

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44Limitation on right to buy: registered social landlords#

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45Limitation on right to buy: pressured areas#

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46Limitation on right to buy: arrears of rent, council tax etc.#

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47Limitation on right to buy: conduct#

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48Houses liable to demolition#

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49Discounts#

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50Assistance to tenants to obtain other accommodation#

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51Right to buy: miscellaneous repeals#

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52Reports on right to buy#

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Chapter 3 · Tenant participation

53Tenant participation#

(1)Every local authority landlord and registered social landlord must, by such time as the Scottish Ministers may direct, prepare a strategy (a “tenant participation strategy”) for promoting the participation of tenants under a Scottish secure tenancy or a short Scottish secure tenancy in the formulation by the landlord of proposals in relation to the management of housing accommodation and the provision of related services by it, so far as such proposals are likely to affect such tenants.

(2)Such a strategy must include, in particular—

(a)provision as to—

(i)the arrangements for obtaining and taking account of the views of registered tenant organisations and tenants as to the matters on which the landlord should make proposals of the type referred to in subsection (1) and the nature and content of such proposals,

(ii)notifying registered tenant organisations and tenants of the matters on which the landlord expects to be making such proposals, and

(iii)the information to be provided to registered tenant organisations and tenants about such proposals and their likely effect, and

(b)an assessment of the resources (including financial and other assistance to bodies comprised of or representing tenants) required, and a statement of the resources proposed, to give effect to the strategy.

(3)Every local authority landlord and registered social landlord must maintain a register of tenant organisations and keep it open for public inspection at all reasonable times.

(4)The Scottish Ministers may by order make provision as to—

(a)the criteria to be satisfied by a body seeking registration in the register or removal from the register,

(b)the procedure to be followed in relation to applications for registration and removal from the register.

(5)A body which is aggrieved by a decision of a landlord—

(a)not to register it in the register, or

(b)to remove or not to remove it from the register,

may appeal against the decision to the Scottish Ministers, who may confirm or reverse the decision.

(6)In this Act, “registered tenant organisation”, in relation to a landlord, means a body for the time being registered in the register of tenant organisations maintained by the landlord.

54Consultation with tenants and registered tenant organisations#

(1)A local authority landlord and a registered social landlord under a Scottish secure tenancy or a short Scottish secure tenancy must notify the tenant and every registered tenant organisation of—

(a)any proposal to which subsection (2) applies, and

(b)the likely effect of the proposal on the tenant,

and must have regard to any representations made to it, within such reasonable period as is specified in the notice, by the tenant or any such organisation in relation to the proposal.

(2)This subsection applies to a proposal by the landlord concerning—

(a)its policy in relation to housing management, repairs or maintenance, where the proposal, if implemented, is likely significantly to affect the tenant,

(b)the standard of service in relation to housing management, repairs and maintenance which it intends to provide,

(c)its tenant participation strategy under section 53,

(d)a disposal which would result in a change of landlord or, if different, of owner of the house which is the subject of the tenancy.

(3)This section is without prejudice to section 53.

55Tenant management agreements#

(1)A society, company or body of trustees for the time being approved by the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of this section (in this section and section 56 referred to as a “tenant management co-operative”) may make an agreement with a landlord mentioned in section 11(1)(b) for the exercise by the co-operative of the landlord’s housing functions.

(2)The Scottish Ministers must approve a society, company or body of trustees for the purposes of this section if they are satisfied that it is generally suitable to carry out such functions.

(3)Where a tenant management co-operative applies to a landlord referred to in subsection (1) for agreement to the co-operative exercising, on such terms as the application may specify, all or part of the landlord’s housing functions, the landlord must make an agreement with the co-operative if it is satisfied that—

(a)the co-operative is approved under subsection (2),

(b)the co-operative will be able to exercise the functions specified in the proposal competently and efficiently, and

(c)so far as those functions relate to houses, the co-operative is representative of the tenants of those houses.

(4)Where a landlord refuses to make an agreement with a co-operative on the ground that it is not satisfied as to a matter mentioned in subsection (3)(b) or (c), the co-operative may appeal to the Scottish Ministers, who may confirm or reverse the landlord’s decision.

(5)Where the Scottish Ministers reverse the landlord’s decision, the landlord and the co-operative must make the agreement.

(6)Where the landlord and the co-operative are unable to agree the terms of the agreement, the co-operative may appeal to the Scottish Ministers who may determine the terms of the agreement.

(7)An agreement under this section may be made only with the approval of the Scottish Ministers, and such approval may be given subject to conditions.

(8)An agreement under this section does not affect the responsibility of the local authority landlord or registered social landlord for the exercise of its functions.

56Tenant management agreements: further provision#

(1)An agreement under section 55 may be made in relation to—

(a)all or any part of the landlord’s housing functions,

(b)all or any part of the houses held by the landlord for the purposes of those functions.

(2)In that section and this section, references to the landlord’s housing functions are—

(a)in relation to a local authority landlord, references to the functions of the landlord—

(i)relating to land or any interest in land held by it for the purposes of Part I of the 1987 Act,

(ii)under sections 4 and 5 (power to provide furniture, board and laundry facilities) of that Act, in connection with any such land or interest,

(b)in relation to a registered social landlord, references to its housing activities within the meaning of section 83(3),

(c)in relation to Scottish Water , references to its functions in relation to the provision and management of houses.

(3)An agreement under section 55 between a tenant management co-operative and a local authority landlord may, without prejudice to any other enactment, include terms providing for the letting of land to the co-operative by the landlord for a period not exceeding 20 years.

(4)A local authority must continue to include in its housing revenue account houses on land included in an agreement under that section between a tenant management co-operative and a local authority landlord; and neither the making of the agreement nor any letting of land in pursuance of it is to be treated as a ground for the reduction, suspension or discontinuance of any Exchequer contribution or subsidy under section 202 of the 1987 Act.

(5)In subsection (4), “Exchequer contribution” has the meaning given in section 338(1) of the 1987 Act.

Part 3 · Regulation of social landlords

Chapter 1 · Registered social landlords

Registration

57The register of social landlords#

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58Eligibility for registration#

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59Registration#

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60Removal from the register#

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61Criteria for registration or removal from register#

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62Appeal against decision on registration or removal#

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Regulation

63Regulation of registered social landlords#

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64Insolvency etc. of registered social landlords#

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Delegation of functions

68APower to direct certain registered social landlords to delegate functions#

(1)This subsection applies where—

(a)a local authority has disposed of an interest in land to a registered social landlord (“RSL 1”) under section 12 of the 1987 Act before the date on which this section came into force,

(b)sections 191 to 193 and section 203(1) of the 1987 Act no longer apply to that local authority by virtue of an order made under section 94 of this Act,

(c)the Scottish Ministers are satisfied that it is appropriate for RSL 1 to authorise another registered social landlord to exercise any of RSL 1's housing management functions if RSL 1 is to manage its houses in a manner which is consistent with the spirit of any notice served on tenants for the purposes of paragraph 3(2) or (3) of schedule 9 in relation to the disposal, and

(d)less than 5 years have passed since this section came into force.

(2)Where subsection (1) applies, the Scottish Ministers may direct RSL 1 to authorise another registered social landlord (“RSL 2”) to exercise such of RSL 1's housing management functions as may be specified in the direction in place of RSL 1 on such terms, if any, as may be so specified; and both RSL 1 and RSL 2 must comply with the direction.

(3)RSL 1 may not, while a direction under subsection (2) remains in force, authorise any person other than RSL 2 to exercise any functions specified in the direction.

(4)A direction made under subsection (2) must be published in such manner as the Scottish Ministers think fit.

(5)Any authorisation given in pursuance of a direction made under subsection (2) continues to have effect for so long as the direction has effect.

(6)A direction made under subsection (2) continues to have effect notwithstanding the fact that the power to make that direction has expired by virtue of subsection (1)(d).

(7)In this section “housing management functions” means functions relating to the management of houses.

Housing management

69Inspections#

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70Inspection reports#

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71Appointment of manager#

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Chapter 2 · Local authority housing management

72Inspections#

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73Inspection reports#

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74Remedial plans#

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75Remedial plans: appointment of manager#

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Chapter 3 · Common provisions

Guidance

79Issue of guidance by the Scottish Ministers#

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Information

77Power to obtain information#

(1)The Scottish Ministers may, for any purpose mentioned in subsection (2), serve on a person a notice requiring the person—

(a)to provide the Scottish Ministers, or a person authorised by them, at a time and place and in the form and manner specified in the notice, with such information relating to the affairs of a local authority or, as the case may be, a registered social landlord in connection with the provision of housing accommodation and related services as may be specified or described in the notice, or

(b)to produce to the Scottish Ministers, or a person authorised by them, at a time and place specified in the notice, any documents relating to such affairs which are specified or described in the notice and are in that person’s custody or under that person’s control.

(2)The purposes referred to in subsection (1) are any purpose connected with the provision of housing accommodation and related services by the authority or, as the case may be, the landlord.

(3)A notice in pursuance of subsection (1) in relation to a local authority may be served on—

(a)the authority,

(b)an officer or employee of the authority,

(c)any other person whom the Scottish Ministers have reason to believe is or may be in possession of relevant information.

(4)No notice is to be served on a person falling within paragraph (b) or (c) of subsection (3) unless—

(a)a notice has been served on the local authority and has not been complied with, or

(b)the Scottish Ministers believe that the information or documents in question are not in the possession of the authority.

(5)A notice in pursuance of subsection (1) in relation to a registered social landlord may be served on—

(a)the landlord,

(b)any person who is, or has been, an officer, member, employee or agent of the landlord,

(c)a subsidiary or associate of the landlord,

(d)any person who is, or has been, an officer, member, employee or agent of a subsidiary or associate of the landlord,

(e)any other person whom the Scottish Ministers have reason to believe is or may be in possession of relevant information.

(6)No notice is to be served on a person falling within paragraphs (b) to (e) of subsection (5) unless—

(a)a notice has been served on the registered social landlord and has not been complied with, or

(b)the Scottish Ministers believe that the information or documents in question are not in the possession of the landlord.

78Power to obtain information: further provision#

(1)In section 77, “agent” includes banker, solicitor and auditor.

(2)Nothing in that section authorises the Scottish Ministers to require—

(a)the disclosure of anything which a person would be entitled to refuse to disclose on grounds of confidentiality in proceedings in the Court of Session, or

(b)the disclosure by a banker of anything in breach of any duty of confidentiality owed by the banker to a person other than a local authority or, as the case may be, a registered social landlord or a subsidiary or associate of a registered social landlord.

(3)References in that section to a document are to anything in which information of any description is recorded; and in relation to a document in which information is recorded otherwise than in legible form, references to producing it are to producing it in legible form.

(4)Where by virtue of that section documents are produced to any person, that person may take copies of or make extracts from them.

(5)A person who fails, without reasonable excuse, to do anything required of that person by a notice under that section is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(6)A person who intentionally alters, suppresses or destroys a document which that person has been required by a notice under that section to produce is guilty of an offence and is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

Charges for regulatory functions

81Charges for regulatory functions of the Scottish Ministers#

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Code of good practice

80Code of good practice#

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Chapter 4 · Interpretation of part 3

82Meaning of “subsidiary” and “associate”#

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83Interpretation of Part 3#

(1)References in this Part to an officer of a registered social landlord are—

(a)in the case of a co-operative or community benefit society , to any officer of the society as defined in section 149 of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, including a co-opted member of the committee of the society, and

(b)in the case of a company registered under the Companies Act 2006 (c.6), to any director or other officer of the company within the meaning of the Companies Acts (see sections 250 and 1173(1) of that Act) .

(2)In this Part, in relation to a co-operative or community benefit society —

(a)“committee” means the committee of management or other directing body of the society,

(b)“co-opted member”, in relation to the committee, includes any person co-opted to serve on the committee, whether the person is a member of the society or not,

(c)any reference to a member of the committee includes a co-opted member.

(3)In this Part—• “co-operative housing association” has the meaning given in section 300(1)(b) of the 1987 Act,• “housing activities” means, in relation to a registered social landlord, all its activities in pursuance of the purposes, objects and powers mentioned in section 58,• “housing association” and, in relation to a housing association, “fully mutual” have the meanings given in section 1 of the Housing Associations Act 1985 (c.69),• “provision of housing accommodation and related services” includes—(a) the prevention and alleviation of homelessness,(b) the management of housing accommodation,(c) the provision of services for owners and occupiers of houses,(d) the provision and management of sites for persons of nomadic habit of life, whatever their race or origin,• “shared ownership agreement” means an agreement whereby—(a) a pro indiviso right in a house is sold, and the remaining pro indiviso rights therein are leased, to a person subject to the person being entitled, from time to time, to purchase those remaining rights until that person has purchased the entire house, or(b) pro indiviso rights in houses are conveyed to trustees to hold on behalf of persons each of whom, by purchasing a share in those houses, becomes entitled to exclusive occupancy of one of the houses but with any such person who wishes to sell or otherwise dispose of that person’s share being required to do so through the agency of the trustees,or such other agreement as may be approved by the Scottish Ministers whereby a person acquires a pro indiviso right in a house or houses and thereby becomes entitled to exclusive occupancy of the house or, as the case may be, one of the houses.

Part 4 · Scottish homes

84Transfer of functions to the Scottish Ministers#

The functions of Scottish Homes are transferred to the Scottish Ministers.

85Property and liabilities#

(1)The Scottish Ministers may by order provide for the transfer to them, or to such other person as the order may specify, of any property and liabilities to which Scottish Homes is entitled or subject.

(2)A certificate issued by the Scottish Ministers that any property or liability has, or has not, been transferred by subsection (1) is conclusive evidence of the transfer or (as the case may be) that there has not been a transfer.

(3)Subsection (1) has effect in relation to property and liabilities to which it applies despite any provision (of whatever nature) which would otherwise prevent, penalise or restrict the transfer of the property or liabilities.

87Dissolution etc.#

(1)Scottish Homes is dissolved on such date as the Scottish Ministers may by order specify.

(2)The Scottish Ministers may by order make such incidental, supplemental, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision as they think necessary or expedient in consequence of or in connection with—

(a)the transfer of functions, property, liabilities and staff of Scottish Homes, or

(b)the dissolution of Scottish Homes.

Part 5 · Strategic housing functions

Local authorities

89Local housing strategies#

(1)A local authority must, when required to do so by the Scottish Ministers—

(a)carry out an assessment in accordance with subsection (2), and

(b)prepare, in accordance with subsection (4), and submit to the Scottish Ministers, a strategy (a “local housing strategy”).

(2)The assessment referred to in subsection (1) must, in relation to the period specified in the requirement, assess housing provision and the provision of related services in the authority’s area, including in particular—

(a)the nature and condition of the housing stock,

(b)the needs of persons in the area for housing accommodation,

(c)the demand for, and availability of, housing accommodation,

(d)the needs of persons in the area for, and the availability of, housing accommodation designed or adapted for persons with special needs, and

(e)any other matter specified in the requirement.

(3)In carrying out the assessment, the authority must have regard to the long-term supply of appropriately trained construction and maintenance labour within its area.

(4)The local housing strategy must set out the authority’s policy for—

(a)exercising its functions, and

(b)co-ordinating the exercise of those functions and the functions and activities of registered social landlords and other persons concerned (in whatever way) with housing provision and the provision of related services,

with a view to accomplishing the purpose set out in subsection (5).

(5)That purpose is the provision, in the period specified in the requirement, of housing and related services in a manner which—

(a)is economic, efficient and effective, and

(b)ensures, so far as reasonably practicable, that persons do not live in fuel poverty.

(za)improves the standard of housing in the authority's area,

(5A)The local housing strategy must, in particular, set out—

(a)a strategy for ensuring compliance with section 85(1) (duty to close, demolish or improve houses which do not meet the tolerable standard) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (c. 26),

(b)the authority's policy for identifying parts of its area for designation under section 1 (housing renewal areas) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 1),

(c)a strategy for improving the condition of houses by providing or arranging for the provision of assistance under Part 2 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 1).

(6)A requirement under subsection (1)—

(a)must specify the period in relation to which the assessment is to be carried out and the strategy prepared and submitted,

(b)may make provision as to—

(i)the procedure to be followed in carrying out the assessment and preparing the strategy,

(ii)the time by which the strategy is to be submitted to the Scottish Ministers,

(iii)the form of the strategy and the matters which it is to include,

(iv)the consultation to be carried out by the local authority on its proposed strategy,

(v)the documents and information relating to the strategy and its preparation which are to be submitted to the Scottish Ministers.

(7)Without prejudice to subsection (6)(b), the strategy must state how the local authority is to comply with its duty under section 106 so far as relating to the matters included in the strategy.

(8)A local authority must provide a copy of its local housing strategy to any person who requests it.

(9)Two or more local authorities subject to a requirement under subsection (1) may, with the consent of the Scottish Ministers, exercise their functions under this section jointly in relation to their combined areas.

(10)The Scottish Ministers must exercise their power under subsection (1) so as to ensure that every local government area is included in a local housing strategy.

(11)A local authority—

(a)must provide the Scottish Ministers with such information as they may require, in such form and at such times as they may require, about the authority’s implementation of its local housing strategy,

(b)must keep its strategy under review,

(c)may from time to time, after consultation with such persons as it thinks fit, modify its strategy, and

(d)must submit any such modified strategy to the Scottish Ministers.

90Grants for housing purposes#

(1)The Scottish Ministers may make grants to a local authority for the purposes of—

(a)the authority’s functions in connection with—

(i)providing, improving, adapting, repairing, maintaining and managing housing,

(ii)undertaking, and assisting the undertaking of, the development, redevelopment and improvement of the physical, social, economic and recreational environment related to housing,

(iii)preventing or alleviating homelessness,

and related matters,

(b)relevant housing-related debt of the authority.

(2)The functions mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(i) and (ii) do not include expenditure in relation to any house, building or land to which the housing revenue account kept by the authority under section 203 of the 1987 Act relates.

(3)In subsection (1)(b), “relevant housing-related debt” means such liabilities of the authority as the Scottish Ministers, after consultation with the authority, may specify, being liabilities—

(a)in respect of loan charges within the meaning of paragraph 3(a) of Schedule 15 to the 1987 Act which—

(i)are required by that paragraph to be debited to the authority’s housing revenue account, or

(ii)would, but for an order under section 94(2) of this Act, have been required to be so debited, or

(b)otherwise arising in connection with the loan to which such loan charges relate.

(4)A grant under subsection (1) is to be—

(a)of such amount, and

(b)subject to such terms and conditions,

as the Scottish Ministers think fit.

(5)A local authority may arrange for any of its functions in relation to sums, or descriptions of sum, received by it under subsection (1) to be exercised on its behalf by the Scottish Ministers on such terms (including financial ones) as the authority and the Scottish Ministers may agree; and the Scottish Ministers may exercise those functions accordingly.

(6)An arrangement under subsection (5) does not affect the responsibility of the authority for the exercise of its functions.

91Grants for housing support services#

(1)The Scottish Ministers may pay grants to local authorities towards expenditure incurred by them in providing, or contributing to the provision of, prescribed housing support services.

(2)Grants under this section may be paid—

(a)to all local authorities,

(b)to particular local authorities, or

(c)to particular descriptions of local authority.

(3)A grant under subsection (1) is to be—

(a)of such amount, and

(b)subject to such terms and conditions,

as the Scottish Ministers think fit.

(4)The Scottish Ministers may by order make provision as to the terms and conditions on which local authorities may make payments out of sums, or descriptions of sum, received by them under subsection (1) (including conditions for repayment in specified circumstances).

(5)An order under subsection (4) has effect in relation to any sum subject to any terms and conditions imposed under subsection (3).

(6)The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance to local authorities generally or to any description of local authority in relation to the matter mentioned in subsection (4).

(7)Before making an order under subsection (4), issuing guidance under subsection (6) or making regulations under subsection (8) or (9) the Scottish Ministers must consult—

(a)such bodies representing local authorities, and

(b)such other persons,

as they think fit.

(8)In this Act—• “housing support services” includes any service which provides support, assistance, advice or counselling to an individual with particular needs with a view to enabling that individual to occupy, or to continue to occupy, as the person’s sole or main residence, residential accommodation other than excepted accommodation,• “prescribed housing support services” means housing support services prescribed, or of a type prescribed, by regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.

(9)For the purposes of subsection (8) “excepted accommodation” means accommodation, or accommodation of a type, specified as such in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.

92Assistance for housing purposes#

(1)A local authority may promote—

(a)the formation of bodies to act as registered social landlords,

(b)the development of registered social landlords.

(2)A local authority may provide assistance to a registered social landlord or to any other person concerned with—

(a)providing, improving, adapting, repairing, maintaining and managing housing,

(b)undertaking, and assisting the undertaking of, the development, redevelopment and improvement of the physical, social, economic and recreational environment related to housing,

(c)preventing or alleviating homelessness,

or related matters.

(3)^note. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)Assistance under subsection (2) may, in particular, be in the form of—

(a)grants or loans to the landlord or person,

(b)subscribing for share or loan capital of the landlord or person,

(c)guaranteeing or joining in guaranteeing the payment of the principal of, and interest on, money borrowed by the landlord or person (including money borrowed by the issue of loan capital) or of interest on share capital issued by the landlord or person,

(d)granting indemnities,

(e)acquiring, holding, managing and disposing of land,

(f)providing or arranging for the provision of advice, training or other services and facilities,

(g)making available the services of staff of the local authority,

(h)carrying out or commissioning research and related activities,

(i)providing or arranging for the provision of information relating to housing.

(5)Assistance under subsection (2)—

(a)of a kind mentioned in subsection (4)(c) or (d), or

(b)which the authority proposes to carry to the debit of its housing revenue account kept under section 203 of the 1987 Act,

may be provided only with the consent of the Scottish Ministers.

(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

93Assistance for housing purposes: further provision#

(1)Assistance under subsection (2) ^note... of section 92 may, subject to subsection (2) of this section, be provided on such terms and conditions (including conditions for repayment of financial assistance in specified circumstances) as the local authority may specify.

(2)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision as to—

(a)the purposes for which, and the classes of persons to whom, local authorities may provide assistance under those subsections of a kind referred to in subsection (4)(a) to (d) of that section,

(b)the procedure to be followed by local authorities in considering whether to provide such assistance,

(c)the terms and conditions on which such assistance is to be provided (including conditions for repayment in specified circumstances).

(3)The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance to local authorities generally or to any description of local authority in relation to the provision of assistance under section 92(2) ^note....

(4)Before making regulations under subsection (2) or issuing guidance under subsection (3) of this section the Scottish Ministers must consult—

(a)such bodies representing local authorities,

(b)such bodies representing registered social landlords, and

(c)such other persons,

as they think fit.

(5)The Scottish Ministers may by order modify any enactment passed or made before the coming into force of section 92 under which a local authority may provide assistance to a landlord or other person of a kind which the authority may provide under that section.

94Alteration of housing finance arrangements#

(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)The Scottish Ministers may by order provide that, on a date specified in the order, section 203(1) (duty to keep housing revenue account) of that Act ceases to apply in relation to a local authority so specified.

(3)An order under subsection (2) may provide for any land held in the housing revenue account of the local authority on the specified date to be held, and accounted for, by the authority in such manner as the order may specify.

(4)Except with the consent of the Scottish Ministers, which may be given subject to conditions, a local authority must not dispose of such land for a consideration less than the best that can reasonably be obtained.

(5)Subsection (6) applies to any sum which is received by a local authority in connection with the disposal of any land held in the housing revenue account of the authority or in respect of which provision has been made by virtue of subsection (3).

(6)The Scottish Ministers may, after consultation with a local authority, direct the authority that any such sum, or any such sum of any description, specified in the direction is, to such extent as the direction may specify, to be applied by the authority for the purposes of—

(a)the functions of the authority relating to housing under this Act or any other enactment, or

(b)the relevant housing-related debt of the authority (within the meaning of section 90(3));

and the authority must comply with the direction.

Meaning of “fuel poverty”

95Meaning of “fuel poverty”#

(1)For the purposes of this Part, a person lives in fuel poverty if that person is a member of a household with a low income living in a home which cannot be kept warm at a reasonable cost.

(2)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision, for the purposes of subsection (1), as to—

(a)what is—

(i)a household,

(ii)a low income,

(iii)a reasonable cost,

(b)the circumstances in which a home is to be regarded for those purposes as being warm.

(3)Before making any such regulations, the Scottish Ministers must consult—

(a)such persons as appear to them to represent the interests of persons living in fuel poverty, and

(b)such other persons,

as they think fit.

...

88Statement on fuel poverty#

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