A Public Meeting will take place next Monday (17th July) in Muirhouse Millennium Centre to address mould/dampness problems in council and housing association properties in the area.
All welcome.
Public Meeting: Damp housing disgrace in Muirhouse
Tag: Shelter Scotland
Cost of Living Campaign meeting at Royston Wardieburn tomorrow
North Edinburgh Cost of Living Campaign meeting at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre tomorrow – Wednesday 8th March from 1pm to 2.30pm.
To find out more contact Lynn.mccabe@ea.edin.sch.uk or call 07845015976
New standards advice for private landlords published
Guidance setting out private rented sector landlords’ responsibilities for ensuring their property meets updated standards has been published.
From 1 March next year, all private rented properties will be required to have central heating, a kitchen with adequate space and facilities to prepare and store food, and common areas that are safe to use and properly maintained.
Properties will also need a circuit breaker device that reduces the risk of electrocution and fire. Existing requirements for safe gas and electrical systems will be extended to other types of fuel. Similar standards are already in place in the social rented sector.
The guidance also covers the action landlords must already take to prevent damp and mould.
Housing Secretary Shona Robison said: “Landlords have one year to meet our updated Repairing Standard, which will improve the condition of private rented property, make homes safer and ensure consistency between the social and private rented sectors.
“The majority of private landlords will already be meeting these standards. The guidance published today will help landlords better understand their responsibilities and ensure those who do need to carry out works can do so in advance of the 1 March 2024 deadline.
“All rented homes are required to meet standards that ensure they are free from damp and mould, and this guidance will help us to ensure this happens in the private rented sector.”
The Repairing Standard – Statutory Guidance for Private Landlords
Tenants’ rights
If you rent your home, your rights depend on the type of tenancy you have. If you rent from a private landlord or letting agent:
Shelter Scotland thanks shoppers for backing its fight against homelessness
Housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland has thanked shoppers for helping it raise a record breaking £24,000 at the 20th Anniversary of its Stockbridge January launch event.
The charity shop’s ever popular January extravaganza attracts excited bargain hunters from across Edinburgh and beyond.
This year saw queues out the door well in advance of the 10am opening time. Shopper patience was rewarded as they snapped up designer clothes from brands such as Prada and Ralph Lauren, early jazz records on shellac as well as beautiful antiques.
Shelter Scotland is gearing up for the rest of the year and keeping one eye on 2024’s launch event, by asking people to donate any high-quality goods and clothes to help support the fight for home.
Director of Shelter Scotland, Alison Watson, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who donated items that were sold at our January launch and everyone who came along to grab a bargain on the day.
“Over its 20 years our Stockbridge January launch has become renowned across the Capital, so it was no surprise to see people queuing out the door before we’d even opened.
“Raising more than £24,000 from our launch is an incredible start to our year, but we want to keep that momentum going. If you have any good quality items or clothes that you no longer need then please consider them donating to your local Shelter Scotland shop.
“There is a housing emergency in Scotland that is causing misery in communities across the country. The incredible generosity of our donors and customers will help us in our fight to end that injustice.”
More choice for people experiencing homelessness
People experiencing homelessness in Scotland will have the ability to settle and access support wherever they choose under legislation coming into force today.
People can currently be asked to demonstrate their local connection to the area where they present as homeless. If they are unable to do so, councils can refer them to another area where they do have a local link, such as somewhere they or their family members have lived or worked.
The new legislation suspends that power for Scottish local authorities, giving people freedom about where they settle and access services. It aims to help them integrate more fully into the local community and to reduce repeat homelessness.
Housing Secretary Shona Robison said: “Local connection requirements have been recognised as a barrier to accessing homelessness services which is why we have chosen to remove them.
“Most people who are homeless want to live in a community where they are already settled, but this legislation allows them to move somewhere new if they want to – whether that’s to access support, take advantage of job opportunities or simply to have a fresh start.
“This puts rights for homeless households on a par with those for people who own or rent their homes, ensuring they have access to consistent services wherever they are in Scotland.
“I know that there are housing pressures in some local authorities but that, ultimately, they share our ambition of ending homelessness. This legislation will help ensure people can find a settled home as quickly as possible in an area of their choosing.”
Alison Watson, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: “We hugely welcome the news that this legislation has been passed. It is important progress towards realising the UN right to adequate housing: ensuring people are empowered to make informed decisions on where they would like to apply as homeless and that dignity is embedded in our homelessness system.
“This much anticipated change is one that we have been long calling for, and is another milestone in securing progressive rights to housing. We believe home is everything, and only building more social homes will bring the housing emergency to a permanent end, but it’s vital that people know their rights and are empowered to defend them.”
Ginny Cooper, from Homeless Network Scotland’s Change Team, said: “We are pleased to learn about the changes being made to local connection legislation, and see it as an important shift towards giving people experiencing homelessness more choice in where they decide to build their lives.
“Giving people the option to relocate will improve their opportunities to create new relationships within communities where they are able to thrive.”
Tenant Protection Bill passed
Emergency legislation approved by MSPs
Tenants will have increased protection from rent increases and evictions during the cost of living crisis under temporary legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament.
The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Bill gives Ministers temporary power to cap rents for private and social tenants, as well as for student accommodation. The Bill also introduces a moratorium on evictions.
This cap, which applies to in-tenancy rent increases, has initially been set at 0% from 6 September 2022 until at least 31 March 2023. Ministers have the power to vary the rent cap while it is in force. The measures can be extended over two further six-month periods.
Enforcement of eviction actions resulting from the cost crisis are prevented over the same period except in a number of specified circumstances, and damages for unlawful evictions have been increased to a maximum of 36 months’ worth of rent.
The temporary legislation balances the protections that are needed for tenants with some safeguards for those landlords who may also be impacted by the cost crisis.
Tenants’ Rights Minister Patrick Harvie said: “I am pleased that Parliament has passed this Bill to support tenants through the current cost of living crisis. People who rent their home are more likely to live in poverty or be on low incomes than other people, and many will be anxious about keeping up payments on their homes as their everyday expenses rise.
“With this Bill now set to become law, tenants in the social or private rented sector, or in student accommodation, will have stability in their homes and housing costs.
“I’m hugely grateful to MSPs for scrutinising and agreeing this legislation this week, ensuring these protections can be brought in with the urgency that this crisis demands.”
Housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland has broadly welcomed the publication of emergency legislation designed to protect tenants but warns that loopholes allowing social tenants with relatively modest rent arrears to be evicted miss the mark.
The charity has identified three key flaws in the legislation that could lead to more tenants becoming homeless before March 2023.
Two of the loopholes could see private tenants who have never missed a payment being made homeless if their landlord or landlords mortgage lender needs to sell the property.
The third issue relates to an exemption to the eviction moratorium for social tenants with arrears of more than £2,250. Post-covid this is around one third of the level seen in court actions already underway and well below the threshold where most social landlords give up on securing tenancy sustainment plans.
Shelter Scotland said it would be urging MSPs to amend these provisions in the Bill to ensure the promise of protection from rent rises and eviction is delivered for those most at risk of becoming homeless.
Shelter Scotland also highlighted that this Bill will not address the needs of those people already homeless in Scotland, especially the 8,538 children trapped in temporary accommodation.
Shelter Scotland Assistant Director, Gordon MacRae, said: “At Shelter Scotland we want this emergency legislation to work for those most at risk of losing their home.
“We know that the cost of an eviction in the social sector can be around £24,000. So, it makes little sense to set the exemption at a level of rent arrears well below that at which most social landlords would take a tenant to court.
“Deleting this exemption or raising the threshold would recognise the hard work of tenancy sustainment officers, advice bodies and tenants who work to tackle arrears and avoid costly evictions into homelessness.
“Private tenants must not face homelessness when they have paid their rent, but their landlord has fallen on hard times. During this emergency period sales of properties by landlords or lenders should only be permitted with the tenant remaining in their home.
“Where possible social landlords and Scottish Ministers could offer to buy the property where open market sale is not possible with a tenant in place as part of the Scottish Government’s affordable housing programme.
“We believe amending the bill to protect more families from the risk of homelessness is the right priority during this exceptional time.”
Mr MacRae added: “However, when the ink is dry on this Bill, Scotland’s housing emergency will remain just as grim as it was before. This bill does nothing for the record number of children stuck in temporary accommodation, denied their right to somewhere permanent and safe to call home.
“Focus must now turn to the longer-term spending choices of the Scottish Government. To really tackle the housing emergency Nicola Sturgeon needs to deliver Shelter Scotland’s action plan by buying or building 38,500 social homes by 2026, fully funding local homelessness services and guaranteeing anyone who becomes homeless their right to a home.”
Social housing must be top priority for new administration as talks continue
Shelter Scotland has said Councillors must stick to their promises and make social house building the top priority for the next administration in Edinburgh as talks to decide who will head up the council continue.
Ahead of the election the housing charity’s petition demanding action on social homes attracted more than 3,300 signatures in Edinburgh, and in excess of 12,000 nationally.
Before voters went to the polls, councillors from the SNP and Labour, the two largest parties on the City of Edinburgh Council signed the Shelter Scotland social housing pledge to make social housing delivery a top priority for their term in office.
Shelter Scotland’s analysis of the council’s figures shows the city needs at least 7,000 social homes over the next five years.
Director of Shelter Scotland, Alison Watson, said: “Social housing ends homelessness. It protects against worsening child poverty and helps our communities thrive. It is easily one of the best things the new council can do to improve our city. Despite that, none of Edinburgh’s previous administrations have delivered the homes the council’s own figures say the city needs.
“Before this election, the parties now negotiating a new power sharing agreement promised the 3,360 citizens in Edinburgh who signed the social housing petition that they would make building at least 7,000 social homes a top priority. Now they need to deliver.”
Alison added: “Communities across Edinburgh are suffering as a direct result of the housing emergency. They will not easily forgive or forget if councillors do not deliver what they’ve promised.
This is one thing the parties can agree on and something the people of Edinburgh will expect to see on the first pages of their new plan for the city.”
Councils are failing to deliver social homes for 7,500 homeless children, says Shelter Scotland
Council leaders are failing children across the country when it comes to social housing according to Shelter Scotland.
Ahead of the local authority elections in May, the housing charity has said council leaders need to urgently step up in order to tackle the deepening housing emergency.
In Glasgow alone there are 2,480 children stuck in temporary accommodation, while 1,515 children in the capital face the same situation. In Aberdeen, a household with children spend 103 days in temporary accommodation on average, while in Dundee that figure rises to 285 days.
Shelter Scotland’s analysis of council’s housing plans* shows that a minimum of 7,000 social homes are needed over the next five years in Edinburgh, 3,675 in Glasgow, 853 in Aberdeen and 655 in Dundee.
Each of the local authorities in those cities failed to deliver on their previous affordable housing targets.
Director of Shelter Scotland, Alison Watson, said: “Right now, thousands of households, including thousands of children, are trapped in temporary accommodation. Often, they’re living in cramped conditions which are entirely unsuitable. Many of them have been living in so-called temporary accommodation for months or, in some cases, years.
“Living in temporary accommodation can have devastating effects. It disrupts children’s learning, it places huge strain on family life, it can ruin people’s health. In the face of a deepening cost-of-living crisis this problem is only going to get worse unless action is taken now.
“As more people are exposed to the risk of homelessness, only social housing can stem the tide. The Scottish Government has promised the cash for new social homes, we need to keep fighting to make sure they’re actually built.
“With the local elections just around the corner our cities’ leaders can’t shirk their responsibilities. We need them to step up and finally contribute to building a future where everyone in Scotland, without exception, has their right to housing upheld.
“The scale of the challenge is clear, but council leaders must rise to meet it. The thousands of children without the security and safety a permanent home provides can’t wait a second longer.”
Shelter Scotland has launched a new campaign asking people to demand that council leaders pledge to build social housing.
For more information and to sign the petition, visit:
https://act.scotland.shelter.org.uk/social-housing-edinburgh
Shelter Scotland’s famous Stockbridge January launch raises thousands
Shelter Scotland’s Stockbridge shop has smashed fundraising records at its popular annual January launch.
The shop raised over £20,000 across the week of the launch, which saw excited shoppers snap up designed bargains, rare collectibles and beautiful antiques.
This beats the previous fundraising record of £18,600 set in 2019.
Running since 2003, the event attracts shoppers from across Edinburgh and beyond.
Peter Jew, manager of Shelter Scotland’s Stockbridge shop, said: “It’s been nearly 20 years since we held our first January event and I’m delighted that the range of exciting items we’ve been able to offer this year has proven more popular than ever.
“I’d like to thank all of our customers and doners for their generosity and for helping to keep Shelter Scotland in the struggle against homelessness.
“Too many people are denied their right to a safe, secure and affordable home and it’s Shelter Scotland’s mission to change that.
“While our January event is a big day in the calendar, we’re here all year round.
“So, if you have any unwanted Christmas gifts and or you’re just having a January clear out then feel free to donate to us and help us fight back against the housing emergency.”
A new deal for tenants: consultation launched
Plans to deliver a new deal for tenants, with stronger rights, greater protections against eviction and access to greener, higher-quality, more affordable housing, have been launched.
The proposals, which are now open to public consultation, aim to deliver a fairer rented sector that meets the needs of tenants and welcomes responsible landlords.
They include:
- increasing penalties for illegal evictions and stronger enforcement
- restricting evictions during winter
- giving tenants greater flexibility to personalise their homes and keep pets
- developing a national system of rent controls for the private rented sector
- introducing a new Housing Standard to apply to all homes
- establishing a private rented sector regulator to uphold these standards and ensure the system is fair for both landlords and tenants
- setting minimum standards for energy efficiency, making homes cheaper to heat while contributing to Scotland’s climate change targets
The measures form part of the Housing to 2040 strategy, published in March this year, and take forward several commitments made in the co-operation agreement with the Scottish Green Party. The results of the consultation will feed into the final version of the strategy to be published next year, with elements of the proposals put to the Scottish Parliament in a Housing Bill in 2023.
Tenants’ Rights Minister Patrick Harvie said: “Now is the time to do more for people who rent their homes, whether they are renting privately, from the council or from a housing association. Delivering a new deal for tenants is central to our ambitions for a fairer Scotland, tackling child poverty and meeting climate change targets.
“Above all else it will significantly improve the lives of Scotland’s tenants, giving them more stability, more choice over where they live and how they decorate their homes, and the confidence that their home will be of a high quality. At the same time it will recognise the interests of good quality, responsible landlords.
“We will be working in partnership with landlords, letting agents, tenants and others to deliver this strategy, and we want to gather the broadest range of views. I would encourage anyone with an interest to respond to our consultation.”
Alison Watson, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: “A warm, safe, and permanent home is a right not a privilege for everyone in Scotland. To make this a reality we need to ensure there is enough social housing for everyone who needs it, while strengthening the rights of tenants and empowering people to defend them.
“Shelter Scotland has long called for tenants’ rights and protections, in both the social and private sectors, to be strengthened to make sure no one can be denied their right to a home. Too many renters aren’t aware of their rights or don’t feel confident in enforcing them and that needs to change.
“This is an ambitious strategy, and it offers the chance to mend many aspects of a housing system that is currently failing thousands. We are excited to work with the Scottish Government to develop these ideas and build a better future for housing in Scotland.”
Sally Thomas, Chief Executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s ambition that all tenants should have access to secure, good quality, affordable homes. We are also pleased the government has acknowledged the unique role housing associations have in delivering these outcomes to people right across Scotland.
“Fairness, quality and affordability are at the heart of the social housing sector, with our homes built to the highest standards, and tenants regularly engaged in important decisions.
“This consultation provides an opportunity to inform and shape the detail behind these important principles, not least to provide a clearer definition of affordability. SFHA and our members look forward to working with Scottish Government over the coming months to do this.”
The consultation closes on 15 April 2022.