Scottish Government introduces six-week eviction ban
The government said there will be some exceptions, for example, illegal occupation, anti-social or criminal behaviour, and domestic abuse.
The First Minister announced yesterday (Thursday 3 December) that enforcement of evictions from rented properties – for both the social and private sectors – will be halted in Scotland for a six-week period until mid-January. The Scottish Government said it has taken this decision due to the continuing spread of the virus and the measures required to reduce transmission.
The First Minister announced that, due to the relaxation of rules with regards to the mixing of households over the festive period and the potential that this could lead to people needing to self-isolate safely at home, the Scottish Government will take forward regulations to introduce a ban on the enforcement of eviction orders across the private and social rented sectors from 11 December to 22 January.
The government said this is a temporary action in direct response to the continued need to protect public health during the pandemic. The regulations are being finalised, and there will be some exceptions, for example, illegal occupation, anti-social or criminal behaviour, and domestic abuse.
Sally Thomas, SFHA Chief Executive said: “It is absolutely the right thing to do that we look after people’s health and wellbeing and we protect tenants who are struggling to pay their rent as a result of the financial effects of Covid-19, but it is of paramount importance that our members can act when there are cases of serious anti-social or criminal behaviour. We are pleased that the government has kept the exemptions in place for such incidences.”
The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 is an emergency law that was introduced with the aim of protecting renters in Scotland during coronavirus. The temporary law applies to all eviction notices issued on or after 7 April 2020. The original end date was 30 September 2020. The Scottish Parliament has extended the law until 31 March 2021, with some changes to notice periods.
SFHA members can contact Stacey Dingwall, SFHA Senior Policy Manager, via email sdingwall@sfha.co.uk regarding any questions.
On Tuesday 8 December, from 10:30 to 11:30, SFHA is running a legal training session with TC Young on allocations and succession during the pandemic. The session will discuss the implications of this announcement. You can book your place via the SFHA website.