Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 21 January 2016
21 Jan 2016 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
No, thank you.
I believe that the no-fault ground for removal has been successfully used in those circumstances and that removing that ground will simply make life more difficult for many tenants who are already in difficult circumstances.
Much has been said already about student tenancies. There is a quite specific investment model being used for the production of large amounts of additional student accommodation around Scotland and particularly in Edinburgh at the moment. It is a grave concern of mine, and of others in the committee, that if we do not find a way to allow that nature of investment to continue, we will have difficulty attracting investment in future. I am glad that the minister is giving the matter further consideration, and I look forward to hearing about the outcome of that in the future.
There are a couple of areas in which I share the committee’s concerns, including the sanctions for wrongful termination. I believe that three months’ rent is not adequate as a penalty for those who wrongly use the rules, and I am prepared to consider any changes that may take place in that area as long as we do not go the opposite way and become penal rather than overly lax.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
Good afternoon. The first item of business is a debate on motion S4M-15365, in the name of Margaret Burgess, on the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill.
The Minister for Housing and Welfare (Margaret Burgess)
SNP
I am pleased to open this stage 1 debate on the principles of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill. I thank the Infrastructure and Capital Inves...
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
The minister will be aware that I asked some questions on the rent pressure zone during the committee’s evidence taking. She is aware that the rent increase ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Minister, before you reply, I advise members that I have asked for a sound check in the chamber. Members are finding it difficult to hear some of the contrib...
Margaret Burgess
SNP
We are looking into David Stewart’s point, which he raised during the committee’s scrutiny of the bill. He has made the point, and the committee alluded to i...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I call Jim Eadie to speak on behalf on the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee. 14:40
Jim Eadie (Edinburgh Southern) (SNP)
SNP
I am delighted to be able to speak on the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee’s stage 1 report on the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill...
Jayne Baxter (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I begin by drawing attention to my entry in the register of interests. On behalf of Scottish Labour, I thank the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Commit...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
As has been said already, the private rented sector has become an important part of the rented sector. It now produces the houses that are needed for many pe...
Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Alex Johnstone
Con
I am sorry, but I only have five minutes. I must persevere. It is true that there is a strong mandatory ground in the bill that concerns antisocial behavio...
Clare Adamson (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Alex Johnstone
Con
No, thank you. I believe that the no-fault ground for removal has been successfully used in those circumstances and that removing that ground will simply ma...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I am afraid that you must come to a close.
Alex Johnstone
Con
I have the rare opportunity to speak again at the conclusion of the debate, and I will complete my remarks at that stage.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I apologise, but we are already over time. Members’ speeches must be no longer than four minutes, please, or I am afraid that I will have to cut them short. ...
Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to hear that Mr Eadie has been enjoying himself since 1988. I have been enjoying myself for much longer than that. Before I go on, I draw membe...
Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Mike MacKenzie
SNP
I am sorry, but I am really short of time. There were some who doubted our ability to deliver 30,000 affordable homes. It is testament to the competence and...
Jim Hume (South Scotland) (LD)
LD
Will the member give way?
Mike MacKenzie
SNP
I am sorry, but I am short of time. The bill needs to strike a careful balance between the needs of tenants and the needs of landlords, and I believe that i...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
You must draw to a close.
Mike MacKenzie
SNP
I am winding up, Presiding Officer.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I am afraid that you must finish now. Your four minutes is up, Mr MacKenzie.
Mike MacKenzie
SNP
I believe that the twin aims of good investment and the provision of good homes are not mutually incompatible, and I support the general principles of the bi...
Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the Minister for Housing and Welfare and the Government for holding this debate on the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill. I was pleased to ...
Clare Adamson (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, am a member of the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee, and I thank our convener, Jim Eadie, other committee members and the clerks for t...
Jim Hume (South Scotland) (LD)
LD
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I welcome the general principles of the bill. I also welcome the ICI Committee’...
James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP)
SNP
As a substitute on and ex-member of the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee, I am delighted to have this opportunity to speak in the debate. My c...
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
As a member of the ICI Committee, I am pleased to be able to take part in this debate. Clearly, I support the bill’s general principles, but I have a few iss...