News from The Estates Office
Business News #29
Sturgeon Defends Decision Not To Back Rent Freeze
The First Minister has defended the Scottish Government’s decision not to back a plan to freeze rents for tenants for two years. The proposed amendments put forward by the Scottish Greens was voted down by both SNP and Conservative MSPs. Ms Sturgeon defended this by saying that not supporting the amendments did not “equate to a lack of determination to protect tenants” adding the amendments were “flawed, in some cases unnecessary, and in other cases would have serious negative unintended consequences”.
Social landlords raised concerns about the two year rent freeze, with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations stating it would undermine and threaten the wellbeing of tenants, not benefit them, and the Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum describing the amendments as potentially calamitous.
Patrick Harvie, the leader of the Scottish Greens, echoed a warning from Shelter Scotland, saying “It’s hard to see now what is going to prevent a tidal wave of evictions sweeping people into homelessness services, which were barely coping before the pandemic”.
Tenant Farming Commissioner Offers Advice On Rent Reviews
Bob McIntosh, the Tenant Farming Commissioner, is advising landlords and tenants to carefully consider the timing of rent reviews due in the Spring, given the current lockdown restraints and future economic uncertainty. He said that unless the reviews are straight forward and can be concluded without a face-to-face meeting, then it is recommended that they are postponed. Many rent reviews will involve a site meeting and an inspection of the farm, and Mr McIntosh added that it is important no tenant, landlord or agent feels pressured into holding such a meeting until the lockdown is relaxed. Another factor is the uncertainty around the significant impact COVID-19 is likely to have on the Scottish economy and specifically the profitability of the agricultural sector, and for these reasons Mr McIntosh advised that landlords and tenants think carefully about whether it is an appropriate time to conduct a rent review.
Vacancies from The Estates Office
Business News #29
Sturgeon Defends Decision Not To Back Rent Freeze
The First Minister has defended the Scottish Government’s decision not to back a plan to freeze rents for tenants for two years. The proposed amendments put forward by the Scottish Greens was voted down by both SNP and Conservative MSPs. Ms Sturgeon defended this by saying that not supporting the amendments did not “equate to a lack of determination to protect tenants” adding the amendments were “flawed, in some cases unnecessary, and in other cases would have serious negative unintended consequences”.
Social landlords raised concerns about the two year rent freeze, with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations stating it would undermine and threaten the wellbeing of tenants, not benefit them, and the Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum describing the amendments as potentially calamitous.
Patrick Harvie, the leader of the Scottish Greens, echoed a warning from Shelter Scotland, saying “It’s hard to see now what is going to prevent a tidal wave of evictions sweeping people into homelessness services, which were barely coping before the pandemic”.
Tenant Farming Commissioner Offers Advice On Rent Reviews
Bob McIntosh, the Tenant Farming Commissioner, is advising landlords and tenants to carefully consider the timing of rent reviews due in the Spring, given the current lockdown restraints and future economic uncertainty. He said that unless the reviews are straight forward and can be concluded without a face-to-face meeting, then it is recommended that they are postponed. Many rent reviews will involve a site meeting and an inspection of the farm, and Mr McIntosh added that it is important no tenant, landlord or agent feels pressured into holding such a meeting until the lockdown is relaxed. Another factor is the uncertainty around the significant impact COVID-19 is likely to have on the Scottish economy and specifically the profitability of the agricultural sector, and for these reasons Mr McIntosh advised that landlords and tenants think carefully about whether it is an appropriate time to conduct a rent review.
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