Podcast - The Tenant Protection Act With Patrick Harvie MSP

8th November 2022

The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act gives Ministers temporary powers to cap rent increases for private and social tenants, as well as for student accommodation, until at least 31 March 2023, effectively freezing rents for most tenants during this period.

The legislation also prevents the enforcement of eviction actions resulting from the current cost of living crisis and includes a reform of the law on damages for unlawful evictions.

Patrick Harvie MSP, minister for zero carbon buildings, active travel and tenants' rights, led on the bill, and he joined Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black to respond to concerns from around the housing sector and give some clarity as to what will happen after 31 March.

Listen to the podcast HERE

Blacks Blog Drilling down into the Tenant Protection Act

Other New Legislation Affecting Letting
Short-term lets legislation approved
Local authorities will be required to establish a short-term lets licensing scheme by 1 October 2022, and existing hosts and operators will have until 1 April 2023 to apply for a licence.

In Highland the letting rules are now set out for licencing HERE
Earlier this year the Scottish Parliament approved legislation to introduce a new mandatory licensing scheme for short term let properties from 1 October 2022.

After 1 October 2022, new operators of short-term let accommodation must have a licence before taking any bookings or receiving guests. This also applies to existing operators who establish new short-term let accommodation after 1 October 2022.

If you are an existing host or operator (operating before 1 October 2022) you can continue to accept bookings and receive guests while your application is being determined and have until 1 April 2023 to apply for a licence.

It is a criminal offence to operate a short-term let without a licence, and you could be fined up to £2,500.