Recovery of possession of adapted properties: guidance for social landlords

3. Alternative Accommodation

3.1 If a social landlord lets an adapted property under a Scottish secure tenancy to a tenant who does not need the adaptations in the house they should at the outset set out clearly to the tenant that they would be expected to move to alternative suitable accommodation if someone later requires the adapted property. Where this happens landlords are expected to work constructively with the existing tenant to secure an appropriate move for them on a voluntary basis.

3.2 Where the existing tenant refuses to move voluntarily landlords can seek repossession of the property in the Sheriff Court. Where this happens any tenants affected by this provision would have to be offered suitable alternative accommodation before the court could grant an eviction order.

3.3 Suitability of alternative accommodation is determined according to the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001^[2]. This sets out a number of criteria for determining whether the accommodation is likely to be reasonably suitable for the tenant and the tenant's family. Where the tenant does not accept the offer of alternative accommodation, the offer will still be deemed to be suitable unless the tenant can satisfy the court that it was reasonable to refuse it.

3.4 At the point of allocating the property, if a landlord considers that there could be an issue in providing alternative accommodation for the tenant, should the property be required at a later date, they should consider whether a different type of tenancy arrangement would be more appropriate to avoid this issue arising. This could be a short Scottish secure tenancy where grounds to grant such a tenancy are available, or a tenancy on a temporary basis, for a term of less than six months such as where a short-term homelessness duty is being fulfilled. Where a tenancy with a fixed duration is provided suitable alternative accommodation does not have to be provided, as repossession would not be sought under the adapted property repossession ground.