Proposals on the Private Sector Housing Bill

The consultation was launched on the 22 July 2004 and will run until 29 October 2004. It sets out options for action to improve the quality of private sector housing and give local authorities powers to intervene to stop properties falling into disrepair.

Shelter welcomes the priority given to the private sector housing market. The private sector is important to the smooth functioning of the housing market as a whole and the rented sector, in particular, is a potential source of accommodation for those unable to access or sustain tenancies in the social housing sector. The Scottish Executive is right to highlight a real problem regarding the condition and quality of Scotland’s housing in the private sector. Shelter believes it is vital that greater powers should be given to public authorities to intervene and make good repairs that otherwise would go undone.