Committee
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 05 December 2023
05 Dec 2023 · S6 · Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Item of business
Scottish Housing Regulator: “Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23”
Michael Cameron
Watch on SPTV
Many of those empty houses are, obviously, not in the social rented sector, so there is an imperative to understand where those homes are and how quickly and effectively they might be brought back into use. For a home to be let as a social home, it has to meet the Scottish housing quality standard. That, in itself, can be a challenge for some empty homes. A national acquisition plan such as I mentioned is one vehicle through which that could be done. I know that a number of other initiatives are in place to bring empty homes back into play. In the current financial context, in which we see the costs of construction being prohibitive in some regards, maximising use of existing stock is increasingly important. As for empty homes in the social housing sector, we have engaged with some landlords to ensure that they are maximising their bringing those homes back into use. Part of the conversation that is happening with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders is about whether there are further initiatives that could accelerate that. We know that it is taking longer to get homes that become empty back into use. A lot of that is to do with challenges around the cost and availability of contractors. There are challenges around the ability of utilities companies to ensure that appropriate supply is available in homes when they are ready for re-let. That is a growing concern among social landlords. There are a number of areas in which initiatives can be undertaken. The statement, “There are a lot of empty homes out there”, understates the challenges in bringing some homes back into use. As I said, a number of initiatives are in play that might help to increase supply through targeting of homes that are available for purchase or homes that are empty and can be brought back into use.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Green
We turn to agenda item 3, under which we will take evidence on the Scottish Housing Regulator’s “Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23” from George Walker, who ...
George Walker (Scottish Housing Regulator)
Thank you very much, convener. I might take a minute or so more on my opening statement this time than I have done previously, because so much has gone on si...
The Convener
Green
Thank you very much for that very thorough introduction and for getting into some of the detail about homelessness. Thank you, too, for highlighting your awa...
George Walker
I am happy to take that. I will start, and Michael Cameron might want to add something. It is a very sensible question. There is no doubt in our minds that ...
The Convener
Green
It is very helpful to hear that that is your approach. You spoke extensively about the thematic review of homelessness, and you covered part of the question...
George Walker
Michael, do you want to take that?
Michael Cameron (Scottish Housing Regulator)
Yes, I am happy to pick that up. As you said, in February, we published our thematic report on homelessness services in Scotland, in which we flagged the ve...
The Convener
Green
Is the issue the same across all 14 of the councils concerned, or is it nuanced? Is it really just about a lack of housing stock? 10:30
Michael Cameron
We looked across six different aspects of performance and statistics for each of the councils. For example, we looked at breaches of the unsuitable accommoda...
The Convener
Green
I will bring in Pam Gosal for a supplementary question.
Pam Gosal
Con
Thank you, convener. Good morning, panel. I have two supplementary questions. You mentioned 14 councils. Three councils have declared a housing emergency so ...
Michael Cameron
We set out very clearly that we consider that there has been systemic failure in provision of services to homeless people. Language such as “housing emergenc...
Pam Gosal
Con
Thank you for that response, but councils are going through really challenging times. I have, over the past couple of weeks, had the opportunity to speak to ...
Michael Cameron
Our role is to regulate individual landlords, including local authorities. That said, we engage with the Scottish Government on the wider systemic situation....
Pam Gosal
Con
Thank you.
Willie Coffey
SNP
Good morning to you both. I will follow up on Pam Gosal’s point. After this item with you guys, we will discuss a paper that tells us that, in Scotland, ther...
Michael Cameron
Many of those empty houses are, obviously, not in the social rented sector, so there is an imperative to understand where those homes are and how quickly and...
Willie Coffey
SNP
Do you track the important figures, such as the number of long-term empties in the social rented sector that are being allocated to people who are temporaril...
Michael Cameron
We monitor landlords’ performance in letting and management of empty homes, and we produce annual statistics on that. We are in conversation with the Scottis...
Willie Coffey
SNP
That is really helpful, Michael. Thank you very much for that. George, in your remarks and in response to questions, you made really positive comments about...
George Walker
I have some information to give you. I probably do not have specific numbers to hand, but I can provide you with more data. What I am about to say is maybe m...
Willie Coffey
SNP
Again, that is really helpful. The only other thing that occurs to me to ask is this: if the median rent rise is below inflation, will that have any impact o...
George Walker
Michael Cameron might have something to say specifically on retrofit. I do not, at the front of my mind, but I touched on the idea of reinvesting in existing...
Michael Cameron
Yes. Specifically on retrofit to tackle energy efficiency and net zero, George is right that the financial projections show a reduction in planned investment...
Willie Coffey
SNP
Thank you, Michael. George Walker anticipated my last question and almost answered it. You obviously have second sight and know what I am going to ask. The ...
George Walker
We hear a mixed economy, if you like, of answers on that. There is a flow through from two things. First is the availability of the services and providers fo...
Willie Coffey
SNP
George Walker mentioned a figure for loss of income due to lost rent. Was it £38 million or around that?
George Walker
It was £38.7 million, I think, just to be clear.
Willie Coffey
SNP
Can landlords attempt to recoup that?
George Walker
That is the cost of lost rental while properties sit empty, which they do for an average period of 56 days now, as I said.