Meeting of the Parliament 30 September 2025
The big problem with the bill is that, from its outset, it looked to address the symptoms that we see in our housing sector rather than the underlying problems. However, we must acknowledge that the bill will mean some relief for those who are at the sharp end of the rented sector. Clearly there has been too much uncertainty and confusion, as well as loopholes. The bill takes a few steps forward when it comes to evictions, succession to tenancies, the rights of pet owners and homelessness, to name but a few issues, so it has positive aspects.
However, although the powers that it provides to introduce rent control areas may sometimes be necessary, they will not be sufficient to stem the tide of rising rents that are affecting the bottom end of the market. For a young family who are looking to guarantee their future and for parents who are looking to help their child to take that big step on to the housing ladder, the bill does nothing.
The bottom line is that there is a lack of affordable housing, which is putting strain on councils and registered social landlords alike and driving up rents. That is a key factor in the process.
By and large, the most common complaint that I receive from constituents is from families who are stuck in housing that is too small for them. They might be in their parents’ house or their grandparents’ house. In some cases, they leave one of their older children to live with other members of the family. The bill does not solve that issue, but it should have had a plan for that.
As I said a couple of weeks ago in the chamber, Scotland has 250,000 homes with damp, mould and condensation issues. We have had amendments that relate to how quickly landlords can fix those issues, but the bill should have challenged the reasons why there are 250,000 damp and mouldy homes in the first place.
I will close on this point. Post-first world war council house building was incredibly ambitious for the time, with revolutionary ideas—it seems strange to say this nowadays—such as indoor toilets for the working class. I believe that, in 2025, the Parliament of this country ought to be equally ambitious. That ambition should start with the idea that everybody should be able to afford to live somewhere that is warm, safe, dry and energy efficient. The bill combats some issues in the housing sector, but not the issues of housing.
I will vote in favour of the bill as a stepping stone towards something better, and I encourage all members to do the same.
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