Introduction

The Local Government and Communities Committee is the lead committee for the Housing (Scotland) Bill.  The Bill was introduced by the Scottish Government on 13 January 2010 and the Scottish Government has produced a policy memorandum and explanatory note to accompany this.

• Housing (Scotland) Bill as introduced, and accompanying documents

The Committee is seeking written evidence on the general principles of the Bill and invites all interested parties to submit views on the Bill in writing. The Committee is interested to hear the views of organisations and individuals on the proposals contained in the Bill and their likely impact. Comments do not have to cover all aspects of the Bill, only those proposals which are of interest or concern.

The call for evidence is now closed.

• Evidence submissions received

Background

The Bill’s Policy Memorandum states that the principal policy objectives of the Bill are “to improve the value that social housing delivers for tenants and taxpayers, to safeguard the supply of that housing for the benefits of future generations of tenants, and to improve conditions in private housing”.

The Bill seeks to do this by:

• modernising the regime for regulating social landlords (local authority landlords and registered social landlords);
• reforming the Right to Buy social housing; and
• amending the law on registering private landlords, licensing homes in multiple occupation and dealing with disrepair in private housing.

The Bill would replace and modernise the regulatory framework established by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and in Part 3 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988.

Submitting written evidence

The deadline for the receipt of written submissions is Thursday 4 March 2010. We welcome written evidence in English, Gaelic or any other language.

Late submissions will only be accepted with the advance agreement of the Clerk to the Committee.

Written views of no more than four sides of A4 should be submitted by e-mail to lgc.committee@scottish.parliament.uk, preferably in WORD format.

• Evidence submissions received

If you do not have access to a computer and email facilities, please submit typewritten evidence in hard copy to—

The Clerk to the Local Government and Communities Committee

Room T3.40

The Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh

EH99 1SP

Before responding

Before you submit your views, please ensure that you have read our policy for handling information received in response to calls for evidence (15KB pdf).  Information you provide will be handled in accordance with this policy.

Information you provide will be treated according to the Scottish Parliament's privacy and data policy.

Your views may be published by the Parliament and will be treated as a public document unless indicated. Your views will be made available to the Committee.

Contact

For specific information on the inquiry, please contact David McLaren, Senior Assistant Clerk to the Committee on 0131 348 5219 or e-mail lgc.committee@scottish.parliament.uk