Greater flexibility to keep pets in homes amongst range of Housing Bill measures
New legislation will introduce a range of measures to improve renting in Scotland, including strengthening tenants’ rights to keep a pet.
Measures in the Housing (Scotland) Bill will allow a renter to make a request to keep a pet in their home and for that to not be unreasonably refused by their landlord. Currently, it is entirely up to the landlord whether a tenant can keep a pet, and they must be given written permission to do so.
Other provisions aimed at providing a good quality, and affordable rental market also include a system of long-term rent controls, with the Scottish Government working with tenants, landlords, investors and developers to bring forward a system that works for tenants and supports investment in private rented housing.
Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “Pets are an important part of the family for many people across Scotland. Tenants have the right to feel at home in rented accommodation and having more control over keeping a pet can play a big part in that and can have additional benefits for their mental health and wellbeing.
“This is just one of a range of measures in the Housing (Scotland) Bill, including long-term rent controls, which will help improve the lives of renters and create an affordable, high-quality, and fair private rented sector.
“The Bill also meets the Scottish Government’s ambition to improve the renting experience in Scotland, whilst also encouraging landlords to invest.
“We will continue to work to create a system that strengthens renters’ rights and supports continued investment in the rental market.”
Gilly Mendes Ferreira, Director of Innovation and Strategic Relations for the Scottish SPCA said: “We welcome the provisions included within the Housing (Scotland) Bill, particularly the safeguarding of the rights of tenants to keep pets and hope that these measures will foster a more inclusive and compassionate rental market.
“Our research has found that over 75% of tenants stated they had a pet for emotional (77%) and mental health (83%) support.
“This survey also highlighted that seven out of 10 tenants would risk becoming homeless if they were no longer able to keep their pet in their current accommodation.
“Sadly, we also found that 37% of tenants stated that they have had to make that unimaginable choice between having a pet and having a roof over their head.”
A brand-new show apartment has been launched for prospective homebuyers to view at a highly sought-after housing development in Edinburgh. Cruden Homes’ West Craigs Green development, which announced its apartment phase earlier this year, is now inviting potential homeowners to explore the luxury apartments located just 20 minutes from Edinburgh city centre.
Expertly designed by Get Fully Furnished, the apartment boasts a spacious and stylish layout that maximises natural light, offering both functionality and elegance. This impressive space is designed in calming tones and includes an impressive balcony, complete with uninterrupted views over green open space.
The exclusive collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments currently for sale caters to a wide range of buyers, from downsizers and first-time homeowners, to independent individuals seeking comfort and convenience.
The two-bedroom plots feature private balconies, perfect for enjoying breathtaking views across Lennie Park and Turnhouse Golf Club. Combining tranquillity with excellent connectivity, these apartments offer discerning buyers a unique lifestyle that balances natural beauty with modern convenience.
As an added incentive, Cruden Homes is offering an exclusive “Plot of the Month”—a rare opportunity to reserve a spacious, one-bedroom, ground-floor apartment available at West Craigs Green.
Priced at £220,000, this apartment is perfect for a couple or individual seeking the best of both worlds: access to lush green spaces and proximity to Scotland’s vibrant capital. Ready for move-in just in time for Christmas or in the New Year, it features generous storage and a stylish open-plan living and kitchen area, ideal for hosting.
For the fortunate buyer who reserves this month, Cruden Homes will include a flooring and furniture package, along with full Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) paid—making this a truly exceptional offer at West Craigs Green.
Hazel Davies, Sales and Marketing Director at Cruden Homes, commented:“Designed with contemporary elegance and practicality in mind, our new show apartment demonstrates the standout quality and lifestyle on offer at West Craigs Green.
“Our Plot of the Month also offers exceptional value for those ready to make West Craigs Green their home.”
In addition to the striking collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, the development includes a range of three-bedroom terraced and semi-detached houses, and four-bedroom townhouses, each with private gardens.
The West Craigs area is undergoing significant transformation, evolving into a vibrant and friendly neighbourhood with abundant green spaces, including the newly established Lennie and Meadowfield Parks. Future plans include a new primary school and nursery, café, and health centre within walking distance.
Conveniently situated between Barnton and South Gyle, West Craigs Green is just five miles from Edinburgh city centre. It benefits from excellent transport links, including cycle routes, bus, rail, and tram stops in close proximity.
The Gyle Shopping Centre is easily accessible on foot or by car, offering a range of amenities such as high street shops, a supermarket, and eateries.
The show apartment is available for viewing at the sales and marketing suite, open Thursday to Monday, 10:30 am – 5:30 pm.
To find out more or to arrange a viewing, visit Cruden Homes or call 0131 600 0095.
The Scottish Government will be betraying households and families across Edinburgh if they go ahead with plans to water down rent controls and impose above inflation rent hikes, says Lorna Slater MSP the Scottish Green MSP for Lorna Slater MSP.
Earlier this year legislation was introduced by then Scottish Greens minister Patrick Harvie to finally bring rent controls to Scotland, which would help keep costs down for tenants.
The Scottish Government supported this legislation in March, but has since announced proposals that would lock-in above inflation increases and by up to 6%, even in rent control areas.
Scottish Government statistics show that between 2010 and 2023 average rents for a newly-let 2 bedroom flat in Lothian reached £1,192, an increase of 79%.
Lorna Slater, the Scottish Green MSP for Lothian said: “This would be a shameful betrayal of households and families in Edinburgh. It would lock-in above inflation rent hikes at a time when far too many are struggling to make ends meet.
“Everyone should have a warm, secure and affordable place to call home, but what the SNP is proposing flies in the face of that aspiration.
“If the SNP goes ahead with these disastrous plans they will be selling-out renters in communities like Edinburgh and entrenching a broken and unfair system.
“Homes should be for living in, not for profiteering. The SNP must not cave in to the landlord lobby and introduce legislation that would impose above inflation rent hikes.
“I hope the SNP will rethink their proposals and work with us to deliver a rent control system that truly transforms our broken housing market and gives tenants in Lothian the security, stability and peace of mind that everyone deserves.”
Springfield Properties, one of Scotland’s leading private and affordable housebuilders, has submitted detailed proposals to Midlothian Council for the first phase of the new Lingerwood development.
After securing outline planning for around 1,000 homes last year to create a sustainable new neighbourhood off Stobhill Road just outside of Newtongrange, the developers have now designed the first phase of 63 private homes which has been submitted to Midlothian Council for comment.
Ranging from two, three, four and five bedrooms, the homes are part of Springfield’s new collection of house styles, this is the first application to feature the new portfolio. Each of the high-quality homes have been designed to maximise energy efficiency, include a unrivalled level of choice and specification, such as back garden turf as standard and a selection of paint colours for each room, while suiting a range of lifestyles to ensure buyers find their ideal home.
Reflecting the local landscape, the proposals also include attractive open green spaces, nature trail paths, new woodland planting, local links and the retention of existing trees, whilst the wider masterplan features everything a community will need to thrive. Crawlees Road in particular will also benefit from upgrades as a result of the development, as the road will be widened and include the installation of footpaths to provide a safe pedestrian route to the Mayfield industrial estate.
Springfield Managing Director, Andy Curran, said:“We’re pleased to be celebrating this milestone in the Lingerwood development journey as we submit proposals for the first 63, energy efficient homes for people in Midlothian. This is especially the case as it’s the first application to feature our new house style range which will streamline our operations and offer the best choice for our customers.
“At Springfield, we are well versed in creating new sustainable communities and have already taken forward villages which prioritise green space, local facilities and supporting infrastructure in Dundee, Perth, Elgin and we’re at the early stages for a new village on the outskirts of Stirling.
“As with these villages, Lingerwood has been thoughtfully designed to create a well-connected community, embracing the 20-minute neighbourhood model which promotes local, sustainable living and ensures people can access local amenities, such as shops and play parks, easily.
“Lingerwood will see the creation of a thriving village that can sustain the needs of local people for years to come. It will be a best-in-class example of placemaking, and we are confident that it will complement nearby established residential areas that already have distinct identities.
“We have worked closely with Midlothian Council and local stakeholders on our plans and their feedback has been invaluable so far. We look forward to hearing the Council’s thoughts on these designs in the coming months.”
City council Planning Convener Cllr James Dalgleish writes about a bold and ambitious plan agreed last week by councillors to make better use of land in the Capital:
Edinburgh’s population is growing fast and so a major highlight of City Plan 2030 is setting aside enough land to accommodate 53,000 much needed homes.
It will help to inform planning decisions going forward to guide sustainable growth and where we can we’ll agree the use of brownfield land rather than precious greenfield sites for new development.
Last year we declared a housing emergency to address the city’s chronic shortage of affordable housing so integral to the plan is that each new housing development will have to include a minimum of 35% affordable homes.
To look after the wellbeing of our residents and meet our climate goals we need to look wider than just providing new homes though. We’re going to create sustainable neighbourhoods fit for local modern living where people can afford to buy or rent their homes. Residents will have job opportunities nearby and be able to walk, or wheel to educational and healthcare facilities, enjoy cultural and sporting activities and easily access public transport to visit other parts of Edinburgh.
It is important that we meet the needs of everyone who wants to live in our beautiful Capital. Edinburgh is also an internationally renowned university city and the plan will help guide where and how much student accommodation we have in the future. On larger sites coming forward developers will be asked to provide other housing, particularly affordable homes, allowing students to live alongside a mix of others within communities.
The plan will also help Edinburgh to transition to net zero by reducing carbon emissions from new buildings and in areas of regeneration we’re delivering new heat networks and energy infrastructure.
New environmental policies are also key as it is vital we protect our beautiful green spaces, the wellbeing of our residents, reduce flooding and improve air quality.
I’d like to thank all those residents, community groups and businesses who helped us to get City Plan 2030 over the line and acknowledge the hard work of Council officers who were part of this.
The introduction of rent controls has received support from the majority of the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee.
The Housing (Scotland) Bill aims to improve housing outcomes for people who live in private rented accommodation and ensure a fair balance between protection for tenants and the rights of landlords. It comes as the Scottish Government and an increasing number of councils have declared housing emergencies.
In its report, the majority of the Committee welcomes the ambition in the provisions to re-balance the private rental sector and improve affordability for tenants. However, despite recent announcements from the Scottish Government about how the rent cap would operate in practice, the Committee has called for further clarity noting that continued uncertainty could impact investment within the sector, in turn impacting on choice and affordability for tenants.
The report also recognises that, in isolation, the Bill in itself is not the answer to the housing emergency, which has been caused by a range of factors, including the shortage of affordable and social housing, increased rents in the private sector, high inflation, freeze of housing allowance rates, labour shortages linked to Brexit, and cuts in Scotland’s capital funding settlement from the UK Government.
However, the Bill does have a role to play in better balancing tenants’ rights with landlords’ needs.
Speaking as the report launched yesterday, Committee Convener Ariane Burgess MSP said:“We are currently in the midst of a housing emergency and this Bill is an important part of the solution to address that by redressing the imbalance in the relationship between tenants and landlords.
“For rent controls to be effective, however, there is a need for certainty for both tenants and landlords about measures within the Bill and how the proposals will work. It’s disappointing that it was only last week that the Housing Minister made an announcement about how rent controls might work.
“The Bill before us does not provide detail on many aspects of how the legislation will operate, and with consultation on some aspects of the Bill continuing until 2025, there will be little room for parliamentary scrutiny in an area which is critical to get right for the long-term sustainability of the private rental sector.”
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The Bill also puts in place requirements for the collection of data from private landlords in order to make a case for the creation of local rent control area . But with the onus on local authorities to collect and monitor the data, the Committee is concerned that there is a lack of resource to deliver that requirement which could hinder the effective use of rent control areas.
The Convener continued:“For rent controls to work, there must be accurate data but the Bill before us has no clear plans for robust data collection. This is why our report recommends that there is a national approach to data collection to help assess rental markets.
“We would also like to see the onus put on landlords by creating a requirement for them to routinely provide data rather than only respond to requests from local authorities.”
The Committee also welcomed measures within the Bill which support tenants’ rights to personalise their homes and their right to own pets.
It also makes recommendations for there to be more support for tenants in exercising their rights, and for landlords too to help them better understand their duties, saying that legislation is not enough on its own to achieve the necessary balance between tenants and landlords’ rights.
Scottish Government urged to prioritise investment in essential services for older people
HANOVER Scotland’s CEO, Angela Currie, is urging the Scottish Government to allocate part of the new £3.4 billion funding from the UK Budget towards critical investments in social care and housing.
The budget announcement from Chancellor Rachel Reeves marked a significant increase in devolved funds, and Angela emphasises that a strategic portion of this must be directed towards empowering older adults to live safely and independently.
With a rapidly aging population, Angela warns that overlooking these essential services will only exacerbate existing pressures on Scotland’s healthcare and social systems.
Angela said: “Our first priority must be restoring the adaptation budget to its previous levels. This funding is essential for making homes safer and accessible for older adults.
“Secondly is to close the gap in subsidies for new-build social housing, enabling us to construct more affordable homes.
“Lastly, we need robust investment in social care, which is crucial for supporting our aging communities and preventing undue strain on health services.
“Investing wisely in these areas is not just beneficial but essential for a sustainable and compassionate future.”
Angela highlights that this comprehensive approach will have a long-term impact, reducing the costly burden on the NHS and enhancing the quality of life for older adults.
The need for investment is underscored by recent budget cuts that have severely impacted housing adaptation funding. The Scottish Government slashed this budget by 25%, from £11 million to £8.245 million, leaving housing associations like Hanover Scotland in a difficult position.
This reduction means older and disabled residents risk being trapped in unsafe homes or hospital beds, contributing to bed-blocking and intensifying pressure on healthcare services.
Angela said: “The modest investment required to make homes safe pales in comparison to the enormous cost of hospital stays and long-term care.
“Without adequate funding, we risk further overwhelming our health and social care systems.
“Our mission is to empower older adults to live with dignity and independence, but the current funding situation is making that increasingly difficult.
“We are calling on the Scottish Government to act now and prioritise social care and housing. This isn’t just about housing; it’s about health, safety, and the wellbeing of our communities.”
Hanover Scotland, which manages more than 4,500 homes, has been a trusted provider of housing for older adults since 1979. The organisation has been at the forefront of innovation, from pioneering sheltered accommodation to participating in urban renewal projects that promote independent living.
Tenants have moved into the first ‘net zero ready’ affordable homes to be delivered in Granton Waterfront.
A housing emergency was declared in Edinburgh last year and the 75 energy efficient homes for social and mid-market rent at Granton Station View built by CCG (Scotland) Ltd on behalf of the Council are part of the local authority’s £1.3bn regeneration of the area to provide much needed affordable housing.
The project is part of the major transformation of Granton Waterfront to create a new coastal town in the north of the city with tenants and homeowners also due to start moving into over 400 ‘net zero ready’ homes for social rent, mid-market rent and homes for sale at Western Villages throughout next year. Work is also well underway to deliver a further 143 ‘net zero ready’ social and mid-market rent homes at Silverlea due for completion in Summer 2026.
The homes at Granton Station View are the first Edinburgh Home Demonstrator (EHD) programme pilot which is part of a collaborative programme between local and national government, academia and the construction industry that has developed a new model for delivering affordable housing in Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.
The homes will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the city’s 2030 net zero target. The homes were largely manufactured offsite and have high performance energy efficient features which will help reduce utility bills for tenants. Features include triple glazing, communal zero direct emissions heating as well as solar panels linked to the communal energy centre being provided. The University of Edinburgh will monitor the energy efficiency of the building design for the first year.
Granton Station View was supported by of over £6.6m funding from the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme (ASHP).
Other innovative features in the development include an underground waste collection system, cycle parking twice the capacity of the residents living there and links to existing and established walking, cycling and wheeling routes.
Three commercial spaces are also situated underneath the homes at Granton Station View providing business and employment opportunities for the area. Two of the spaces have recently been let out ensuring that residents of Granton Station View will have access to a local convenience store with a post office and a fitness gym.
As well as delivering over 3,500 ‘net zero’ homes in the next 10 years, the wider £1.3 billion Granton Waterfront regeneration will include a primary school, a health centre, commercial and cultural space as well as a new public park at the iconic Granton Gasholder, currently being restored.
Council leader Cammy Day said: “Today’s announcement is welcome news as the housing emergency we declared last year means we have a chronic shortage of housing in the city.
“Despite Scottish Government cuts in affordable housing, the homes at Granton Station View are part of an exciting pilot project which will not just help us ease this shortage but will provide many individuals and families with comfortable modern homes using the very latest technology to keep energy bills down.
“I wish everyone moving into Granton Station View well and look forward to seeing hundreds of other individuals and families move into the high-quality homes we are delivering at Western Villages and Silverlea as part of our wider £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront.”
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I am pleased that the City of Edinburgh Council has delivered 75 high-quality, energy-efficient homes for social and Mid-Market Rent in Granton.
“These homes were backed by over £6.6 million of Scottish Government funding and they will help to meet the needs of the local community for generations to come, whilst supporting Scotland’s net-zero ambitions.
“We remain focused on delivering 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland by 2032 with at least 70% for social rent and 10% in our rural and island communities.”
CCG (Scotland) Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “Scotland is in a housing emergency and our planet is in the midst of a climate emergency. Both issues are some of the most challenging that will face this generation and it is fundamental that we tackle both in equal measure by delivering more, sustainable homes like we have here at Granton Station View.
“Through our own, pioneering construction methods and a new delivery model that focuses on streamlined procurement and collaborative working, we have unlocked brownfield land and evidenced that a just net zero transition is achievable, the needs of our communities can be met, and our carbon impact can be significantly lowered.
“We thank the partners of the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator programme for their support during construction, and we look forward to continuing our work with the Council at Western Villages where a further 444 net zero ready homes, including 56 for sale from CCG Homes, will be completed in 2025.”
As part of this programme, in Edinburgh, there are also 140 affordable homes being built in Greendykes which will be ready in 2027 and another 40 affordable homes currently being designed for Burdiehouse Crescent. These homes will have similar energy saving features.
Thousands of new affordable homes set to be delivered in England through £500 million boost to the Affordable Homes Programme – bringing total investment in housing supply to over £5 billion.
Council housing stock in England protected by reductions to Right to Buy discounts and a consultation on new long-term social housing rent settlement.
Councils also able to keep 100% of the receipts from sales to scale-up delivery of much needed social housing.
£128 million funding injection for other housing projects to transform Liverpool’s central docks, build more energy efficient homes and clean up rivers to unlock up to 28,000 new builds.
The Budget will deliver more affordable housing, ensure social housing is available for those who need it and turbocharge the delivery of 1.5 million homes as the Chancellor commits to rebuilding Britain.
A housing package announced today will deliver up to 5,000 new affordable social homes with £500 million in new funding for the Affordable Homes Programme – bringing total investment in housing supply to over £5 billion – and supporting the delivery of 33,000 new homes through £128 million for housing projects across the country.
Meanwhile, the stock of social housing will be increased through a new 5-year social housing rent settlement that will give the sector more long-term certainty on funding and allow them to invest in tens of thousands of new homes.
The existing stock will also be protected by reducing Right to Buy discounts so that thousands more council homes remain in the sector.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said: “We need to fix the housing crisis in this country. It’s created a generation locked out of the property market, torn apart communities and put the brakes on economic growth.
“We are rebuilding Britain by ramping up housebuilding and delivering the 1.5 million new homes we so badly need”.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “We have inherited a housing system which is broken, with not enough homes being built and even fewer that families can afford.
“This is a further significant step in our plan to get Britain building again, backing the sector, so they can help us deliver a social and affordable housing boom, supporting millions of people up and down the country into a safe, affordable and decent home they can be proud of.”
The £500 million to deliver thousands of new social and affordable homes is a top-up to the existing Affordable Homes Programme and comes ahead of the Government’s Housing Strategy due in the Spring.
The Government will set out details of new investment to succeed the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme at the Spending Review. This will lay the foundations for the manifesto commitment to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation, and to support councils and housing associations to build their capacity and make a greater contribution to affordable housing supply.
It will deliver a mix of homes for sub-market rent and home-ownership, with a particular focus on delivering homes for Social Rent.
The Government will also consult on a new 5-year social housing rent settlement, which caps the rents social housing providers can charge their tenants, to provide the sector with the certainty it needs to invest in new social housing.
The intention would be for this to increase with Consumer Price Index inflation figures and an additional 1%. The consultation will also seek views on other potential options to give greater certainty, such as providing a 10-year settlement.
These measures to increase affordable housing come alongside changes to the Right to Buy scheme, which will protect existing social housing stock to meet housing need and deliver a fairer and more sustainable scheme.
England’s existing social housing supply is depleted every year by the scheme while also disincentivising councils to build new social housing.
Discounts will be reduced alongside greater protections for newly-built social housing and councils will be able to keep 100% of the receipts generated by a Right to Buy sale. This will enable councils to scale-up delivery of much needed social housing whilst still enabling longstanding tenants to buy their own homes.
The £128 million will support the delivery of new housing projects – including up to 28,000 new builds currently blocked by river pollution – cleaning up our rivers in the process – 3,000 energy efficient homes across the country and 2,000 new homes in North Liverpool.
Meanwhile the £56 million investment at Liverpool Central Docks will also deliver office, retail, leisure and hotel facilities alongside the new homes. As well as demonstrating our brownfield-first approach, it will transform Liverpool’s former docklands into a thriving waterfront neighbourhood.
Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, says:“We strongly welcome the £500m top-up to the affordable homes programme. This vital injection of funding, which we’ve been urgently calling for, will support housing associations to continue to deliver much needed affordable homes in the immediate term and prevent a collapse in delivery.
“We share the government’s ambition to build 1.5million homes over this parliament and stand ready to deliver the social homes needed, which is why we welcome a consultation on a new rent settlement. This will provide both transparency for residents and long term certainty and financial stability for social housing providers. We also support the government’s decision to review right to buy discounts.
“To achieve the affordable homes needed across the country, alongside this short term top-up, we look forward to a new long term housing strategy announced at the next spending review, including a significant boost in funding for social housing.”
The homebuilder announces programme of community support in Edinburgh whilst putting local businesses in the spotlight
LOCAL businesses from in and around Edinburgh have been put in the spotlight by Cala Homes, (East) as it unveils its first showhome, as well as a Community Pledge programme, at a brand new development in Edinburgh.
The award-winning Scottish homebuilder recently launched the St Crispin’s Court development, which will feature 23 three-bedroom & study townhouses and 14 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, each of which has been carefully curated to offer the best in modern city living.
Situated in the Blackford area of the capital, the development’s contemporary townhouse showhome allows local retailers and creatives to promote their goods and showcase the very best that businesses in the area have to offer.
Elaine Doyle, Sales and Marketing Director at Cala Homes (East) said: “We are delighted to see our Showhome of Support initiative being brought to life at St Crispin’s Court and to support and showcase some of the talented businesses and creatives that make Edinburgh such a vibrant community.
“By collaborating with local retailers and creatives, we’re not only helping potential homebuyers envision life in this stunning setting but also shining a spotlight on the talent and craftsmanship that defines the area.”
The Showhome of Support initiative is part of Cala’s St Crispin’s Court Community Pledge programme. The pledge features a bespoke package of activities designed to address the needs of the local area in a meaningful and measurable way.
Elaine continued: “We are proud to launch our St Crispin’s Community Pledge, which we are believe will have a lasting, positive impact on the surrounding area.”
Prices at St Crispin’s Court start from £769,995 for a three-bedroom townhouse. Apartments launched this summer, with prices from £325,000. Cala’s on-site sales office is now open by appointment.
