Unclaimed tenancy deposits: equality impact assessment

The Scope of the EQIA

This EQIA considers any positive or negative impact that the unclaimed deposit provision may have on those with protected characteristics, as outlined in the Equality Act 2010 (age, disability, sex (including pregnancy and maternity), gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race and religion or belief).

As part of our considerations and policy development of the measure, a formal public consultation was carried out as part of the Scottish Government’s New Deal for Tenants: Draft Rented Sector Strategy^[5]. Independent analysis of responses to the consultation^[6] was published in August 2022.

Further targeted stakeholder engagement with tenants, landlords and other relevant stakeholders has taken place to inform the development of the measures, including a landlord and tenants questionnaire and subsequent discussion group events seeking views on particular aspects of the policy. Independent analysis of responses to the questionnaire^[7] was published on 8 March.