Written Evidence from Shelter Scotland at Stage 1 of the Private Rented Sector (Scotland) Bill

• Shelter is broadly supportive of the changes that are proposed to the Landlord Registration Scheme which we hope will provide greater clarity to local authorities. However, it is expected that further refinements will emerge from the Scottish Government’s review of Landlord Registration which has only just started.

• Shelter supports the measures put forward to HMO licensing in principle. However we do not agree that the planning system should be used further to control HMOs. In our view this will make management and conditions worse, not better.

• Shelter does not support the measures to deal with overcrowding which we think are hastily-conceived and likely to simply displace the problem, at best, or result in homelessness, at worst. We would like to see the issue of overcrowding examined more comprehensively, with full consideration of the impact on tenants of any proposed new powers.

• Shelter is happy with the measures made relating to the tenancy regime in particular the requirement for a pre-tenancy information pack and clarification of the law around charges for setting up a tenancy.