Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 23 September 2020
For the avoidance of doubt, I am speaking on the rent arrears pre-action protocol SSI, but we will be voting for that SSI. We will oppose the next SSI, which is on international organisations’ immunities and privileges, but not speaking to it.
This SSI introduces a pre-action protocol for rent arrears eviction cases that come before the housing tribunal during the period that is covered by the coronavirus emergency legislation. The report from the Local Government and Communities Committee to Parliament recommending approval of the SSI states that, during evidence on 4 September 2020, the minister, Kevin Stewart, confirmed that
“representatives of private rented sector tenants had been consulted on the regulations”.
However, as I understand matters, no representatives of private sector tenants have been consulted on the instrument.
The SSI will be of some utility, but that is undermined by the fact that, although representatives of landlords have had their say on the drafting of it, no representatives of Scotland’s private renters have had that opportunity. Parliament should be aware of that important qualification.
17:42