Minimum period for applications to remain in force - suspensions under section 20B of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987: statutory guidance

18. Maximum Period for a Suspension to Remain in Force

18.1 Section 20B does not specify how long a suspension can remain in force. In some circumstances landlords will wish to reconsider the length of a suspension as a result of circumstances changing, for example where the applicant has existing rent arrears the suspension may cease to be appropriate once a certain amount of the debt has been repaid.

18.2 Any ineligibility for the allocation of social housing should be limited in its duration and the applicant should be advised of the timescale and any conditions that have to be met for the suspension to be lifted ahead of that timescale. Social landlords should determine the timescale for suspensions and this should be clearly set out in their allocations/suspensions policies. As a rule, however, suspensions under section 20B should not exceed three years in length from the date of the application.

18.3 The Scottish Government has the power to set out in law a maximum length of time such a suspension can last and may do so if it becomes evident that landlords are not having appropriate regard to this guidance^[11].