Chamber and committees

On 31 August 2011 the Scottish Government brought the new legislative regime for the licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) into effect.

The Scottish Government is working in partnership with members of the Scottish Private Rented Sector Strategy Group to produce a consultative strategy aimed at improving standards and quality within the private rented sector in Scotland.

As part of development of the final strategy, due in summer 2012, the views of local authorities and other key stakeholders will be considered in relation to the need to make any further alteration to legislation on HMOs.

The Scottish Government does not monitor court action related to HMO licensing. However, prior to 31 August 2011, three local authorities advise that they obtained more than 70 prosecutions attracting fines ranging from £130 to £4,000. Prior to implementation of the new HMO licensing regime the maximum fine for landlords was £5,000. The Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Act 2011 has since raised this to £50,000.

A working group of key stakeholders, including local authority interests, has been established to support implementation of Part 3 (Overcrowding) of the Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Act 2011. The development of guidance on operation of Overcrowding Statutory Notices will be taken forward by the working group.

The Scottish Government intends to make considerable progress on this matter during 2012, with a view to enabling use of overcrowding statutory notices by local authorities in early 2013.

Local authorities in Scotland do not have a general power to perform random checks on the premises of registered private landlords. However, they do have specific rights of entry in relation to property standards in private rental dwellings that are licensed houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

The Scottish Government is working in partnership with members of the Scottish Private Rented Sector Strategy Group to produce a consultative strategy aimed at improving standards and quality within the private rented sector in Scotland.

As part of the development of the final strategy, due in summer 2012, the views of local authorities and other key stakeholders will be considered in relation to the case for the introduction of designated private rented pressured areas.

Local authorities already have powers to serve work notices and to take other steps, such as closing a property if they are concerned that it is serious disrepair.

The Scottish Government is working in partnership with members of the Scottish Private Rented Sector Strategy Group to produce a consultative strategy aimed at improving standards and quality within the private rented sector in Scotland.

As part of development of the final strategy, due in summer 2012, the views of local authorities and other key stakeholders will be considered on the case for enabling third party referrals to the Private Rented Housing Panel.

The Scottish Government is consulting widely across Scotland, including with passengers and community representatives, on the future of rail services in Scotland. Transport Scotland officials have held a number of stakeholder meetings and events in relation to the Rail2014 consultation since November 2011.

In the context of the Rail2014 consultation, no meetings have taken place with Network Rail or ScotRail in relation to any reconfiguration of services and stations in Scotland, including Glasgow.

Transport Scotland officials have regular and ongoing dialogue with Network Rail and ScotRail in relation to station and service improvements across Scotland.

The Scottish Government is working in partnership with members of the Scottish Private Rented Sector Strategy Group to produce a consultative strategy aimed at improving standards and quality within the private rented sector in Scotland.

As part of development of the final strategy, due in summer 2012, the views of local authorities and other key stakeholders will be considered on the proposal to introduce stated grounds of appeal for refusal of registration as a private landlord.

The Scottish Government is working in partnership with members of the Scottish Private Rented Sector Strategy Group to produce a consultative strategy aimed at improving standards and quality within the private rented sector in Scotland.

As part of the development of the final strategy, due in summer 2012, the views of local authorities and other key stakeholders will be considered on the case for introduction of further legislation relating to private rented housing.

The Scottish Government is working in partnership with members of the Scottish Private Rented Sector Strategy Group to produce a consultative strategy aimed at improving standards and quality within the private rented sector in Scotland.

As part of development of the final strategy, due in summer 2012, the views of local authorities and other key stakeholders will be considered in relation to the case for introduction of management control orders.

The Scottish Government is working in partnership with members of the Scottish Private Rented Sector Strategy Group to produce a consultative strategy aimed at improving standards and quality within the private rented sector in Scotland.

As part of the development of the final strategy, due in summer 2012, the views of local authorities and other key stakeholders will be considered in relation to the form of legislation required to regulate the activities of letting agents in Scotland.