Making changes to let property: equality impact assessment

Executive summary

Scottish Ministers have committed to further reform of the rented sectors as part of delivering their vision and commitments for housing as set out in Housing to 2040^[1] and consulted on as part of our New Deal for Tenants: Draft Rented Sector Strategy^[2]. The reforms were also developed as part of the Cooperation Agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group, which was ended on 25 April 2024. The 2023-24 Programme for Government^[3] commits to a Housing Bill that will help to deliver the legislative changes required.

This document sets out the results of the equality impact assessment of the introduction of new rights for tenants with a private residential tenancy to make certain changes to their rented homes. It is one of a number of equality impact assessments carried out on the policy changes included in the Bill.

The analysis is presented below in the Key Findings section. The findings are based on stakeholder engagement and feedback, desk-based research and analysis of the responses to the New Deal for Tenants: Draft Rented Sector Strategy, the Landlord and Tenant Engagement Questionnaire and subsequent engagement discussion groups.

The EQIA is an ongoing process, and therefore will continually be amended as new evidence comes to light. We will continue to engage with our stakeholders and will regularly review the EQIA record and results following the data review and subsequent analyses.

Our assessment indicates the impact of this policy measure as neutral in relation to the elimination of discrimination, advancement of equality of opportunity, and fostering good relations for those with protected characteristics. We have identified this policy is likely to have an overall positive effect on all tenants with a private residential tenancy including those with protected characteristics, allowing them greater control over their home. This may be particularly beneficial for families with children.