Housing (Scotland) Bill Island Communities Impact Assessment Results

Who will the Bill affect and information relating to island communities

Rented Sector Reform

Key stakeholders in island communities in regard to the rented reform measures in the Bill are:

• local authorities;
• private and social tenants;
• private and social landlords;
• representative bodies of tenants such as Citizens Advice Scotland, Shelter Scotland, Living Rent and Generation Rent;
• representative bodies of landlords and letting agents such as the Scottish Association of Landlords, Scottish Land & Estates, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and PropertyMark; and
• financial institutions and investors such as the Scottish Property Federation and UK Finance.

As set out in the Scottish Government’s New Deal for Tenants, Draft Rented Sector Strategy Consultation^[5], influences on rent levels are multiple and complex and the picture of both rent levels and rent inflation are not the same across the country, with huge geographical differences in experiences.

Supply of, and demand for, private rented accommodation can be impacted by a wide range of circumstances including the prevalence of holiday lets and second homes, investment in the sector, macro-economic changes such as changes to interest rates, levels of demand, the cost of home ownership and demographic change.

There is evidence to suggest that there are unique elements to the experiences of renting in remote and rural areas such as islands. For example, there is evidence that young people in rural areas may have more precarious experiences of housing, closely tied to educational opportunities and labour markets than their peers in urban areas. Also, the character of both the market and housing stock are different. For example, there are higher proportions of second homes, vacant homes and short term lets compared with the national average. Engagement as part of the development of the Scottish Government’s Rural and Island’s Action Plan^[6] identified the delivery of affordable housing as being one of the distinct needs of island communities.

Further detail is set out in the Rental sector reform: island communities screening assessment^[7].

Homelessness Prevention

Key stakeholders in island communities in relation to homelessness prevention measures in the Bill are:

• Local authorities representing island communities;
• Relevant bodies such as within justice and health;
• Individuals at risk of homelessness/individuals experiencing homelessness and individuals supporting them e.g. family members; and
• Advocacy groups/third sector organisations.

Notwithstanding that the islands are not ranked as very deprived compared with other Scottish regions, the 2019 consultation on the National Plan for Scotland’s islands^[8] highlighted that availability of affordable, fit-for-purpose housing on Scottish Islands presents a challenge for island communities. Lack of accessible and affordable housing is associated with various manifestations of rural poverty and general inequality, including homelessness and hidden homelessness. Adequate housing is an internationally recognised human right and forms part of the wider right to an adequate standard of living.

Further detail is set out in the Homelessness Prevention: island communities screening assessment^[9].

Mobile Homes

Key stakeholders in island communities in relation to mobile homes measures in the Bill are mobile home residents and site owners. Other stakeholders are the Scottish Confederation of Park Home Residents Associations, the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, COSLA and national organisations such as the National Caravans Council.

Information available on the location of licenced permanent sites^[10] (while dated) suggests that the number of licenced sites in island communities is likely to be extremely small. The amendments made in the Bill will result in administrative changes to documentation in relation to annual pitch fee setting by site owners and does not have a geographical dimension or relate directly to practical service delivery.

Further detail is set out in the Mobile Homes: island communities screening assessment^[11].