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

22. Managing Suspensions – Information for Applicants

22.1 Landlords need to make sure that applicants are aware of their approach to suspensions and what this means. Information about the suspensions policy should be included in a landlord’s allocation policy and in any other information that the landlord provides to people applying for housing.

22.2 Once a landlord has decided to suspend an applicant from receiving an offer of housing it must tell the applicant, in clear terms:

• why it is suspending the application, including the circumstances it has taken into account;
• what this means, for example that they will not be considered for an allocation of housing/transfer;
• how long the suspension will last;
• what they have to do to have the suspension shortened or lifted (if this is applicable and can be predicted);
• where to find independent housing and/or legal advice; and
• about their rights to review and where appropriate appeal, both through internal procedures and to the sheriff, and the relevant timescales that are involved.

22.3 Landlords need to tell applicants about the decision to suspend them from receiving offers as soon as they make it. Landlords should continue to remind applicants, when reviewing their waiting list, that they remain suspended from receiving offers of housing.