Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 11 May 2022
We have worked at pace over the past two months, since the United Kingdom announced the sponsorship schemes, to understand what is needed and to respond to issues as they have arisen while the scheme develops.
The three instruments that we have laid today will work together to increase the options for safely housing people who are fleeing the illegal war in Ukraine. Alongside instruments that are being taken forward by Neil Gray, we are laying these instruments urgently because significant numbers of displaced people are now arriving. Applications are now turning into visas and people are travelling here. The Scottish Government is determined to ensure that safe accommodation options are in place for them.
The Scottish statutory instrument that amends private landlord registration will exempt from having to register under landlord registration legislation, people who are offering their second homes for free as part of the homes for Ukraine scheme. That exemption is only for people who are offering second homes through the scheme and have no intention of becoming landlords.
The purpose is to simplify the process and reduce the administrative burdens and costs that will be faced by hosts who take part in the scheme, who have generously offered their homes. Attracting second-home owners to offer their properties through the scheme is helpful, as a whole-property offer is an attractive housing solution for, for example, larger families. Ultimately, the change is intended to help to increase the number of properties that are offered through the scheme and, therefore, to support the displaced people of Ukraine.
I move,
That the Parliament agrees that the Private Landlord Registration (Modification) (Scotland) Order 2022 [draft] be approved.