Meeting of the Parliament 23 September 2025 [Draft]
I absolutely take note of the point and the statistics that Pam Duncan-Glancy puts to me, and I do not doubt for a second that there are pressures to be worked through, but I remain committed to ensuring that all groups, including students, are appropriately reflected in local housing strategy guidance and to supporting local authorities to consider their demographics and how they change on an on-going and flexible basis. The work that is under way allows us to do that.
Amendment 371, in the name of Ms Duncan-Glancy, would require the publication of a purpose-built student accommodation charter. Again, I understand the intention, but I cannot support the amendment. The charter would cover matters, including complaints, that are already included in the Unipol codes, which the majority of PBSA providers are members of. The codes are regularly reviewed, enjoy the support of the sector, including the National Union of Students, and will cover issues such as standards, the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, and the process for dispute resolution.
Along with Unipol and review group members, the Scottish Government has reviewed the codes to ensure that they apply equally to Scotland and can be further amended as required. Our PBSA recommendations are being progressed by the Scottish Government and review group members. Therefore, given that that work is under way and is well progressed, I ask Ms Duncan-Glancy not to move her amendments but to work with me, officials and review group members to finalise that work, which has been a number of years in the making.
I am trying to move as swiftly as I can through the amendments, Presiding Officer—I do not have long to go.
15:00Amendments 373 and 374 and the consequential amendments 389 and 390, in the name of Ross Greer, would require the Scottish Government to publish model terms and conditions for students and a model complaints procedure. Again, I appreciate the intention behind the amendments—I want to ensure that students have full information on the terms and conditions of their accommodation contracts and details of how to make a complaint—but I cannot support them.
In respect of amendment 373, work on terms and conditions to ensure consistency between providers is on-going. Guidance on tenancy agreements that is similar to the guidance that is provided in the private rented sector has been drafted and is currently with all stakeholders for comment by the end of October. Following that, an information pack, including information relating to tenancy agreements and tenants’ rights, will be drafted. Student representatives are involved in that process.