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George Pearson

General

Q1. To what extent do you agree that the measures in the Bill meet the Scottish Government’s stated policy objectives?

Please select one item
Radio button: Unticked Strongly agree
Radio button: Unticked Agree
Radio button: Unticked Neither agree or disagree
Radio button: Unticked Disagree
Radio button: Ticked Strongly disagree

Q2. What are your main reasons for your views on Q1? (please note we have asked more detailed questions on the Bill later in this survey)

Please use this textbox to provide your answer
We don’t have sufficient homes to accommodate every person with a housing need.

The proposed legislation will not, in itself, provide more homes - nor will it reduce demand for homes. In essence, it won’t fix the problem.

Rent

Q3. Do you support the proposals in Part 1 of the Bill allowing rent control areas to be designated?

Please select one item
Radio button: Unticked Yes
Radio button: Ticked No
Radio button: Unticked Don't know

Q4. Do you have any further comments to make on Part 1 of the Bill dealing with rent for private tenants?

Please use this textbox to provide your answer
Landlords face many costs. With interest rates around 6%, it would seem reasonable that a landlord should expect 6% profit from their investment.

So, a property valued at £200k should return £12k after costs (excluding mortgage interest). That is £1,000 per month after repairs, maintenance, letting agent fees and risk. A property valued at £200k should rent for £1,800.

If rent controls are introduced, the government should provide a ‘fair rent algorithm’ to determine the ‘reasonable’ rent level.

Evictions

Q5. What are your views on Part 2 of the Bill that deals with evictions?

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Protecting one tenant from eviction condemns another family to temporary accommodation for longer.

When rent is in arrears or when a tenant breaches the (fair and reasonable) terms of a tenancy agreement, there MUST be a quick way for the landlord to recover the property. This will release the property for another family to live in and minimise the landlord’s losses (and ensure landlords have the confidence to continue in the business).

Keeping pets and making changes to let property

Q6. Do you support the proposals in Part 3 of the Bill to strengthen the rights of tenants to keep pets and make changes to let property?”

Please select one item
Radio button: Ticked Yes
Radio button: Unticked No
Radio button: Unticked Don't know

Q7. Do you have any further comments to make on Part 3 of the Bill dealing with keeping pets and making changes to let property?

Please use this textbox to provide your answer
Pets can cause significant damage to a landlord’s property. It is imperative that landlords are protected - either through a robust insurance scheme or a larger deposit.

Maybe pets should only be considered when tenancies have been in existence for 2 years or longer.

Joint tenancies

Q8. What are your views on Part 4 of the Bill that deals with how joint private residential tenancies can be ended?

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When one tenant wished to end the tenancy, it should be for all parties and vacant possession given t9 the property owner.

Homelessness prevention

Q9. Overall, do you support the Bill’s proposals in Part 5 of the Bill that deal with homelessness prevention?

Please select one item
Radio button: Ticked Yes
Radio button: Unticked No
Radio button: Unticked Don't know

Q10. What are your views on the ‘ask and act duty’ for relevant bodies in relation to preventing homelessness in Part 5 of the Bill?

Please use this textbox to provide your answer
If a landlord needs to gain possession of a property, they will give reasonable notice to their tenants.

Councils have a legal obligation to accommodate people. They should address the issue at the earliest possible time.

Q11. What are your views on the requirement on councils to act sooner to prevent homelessness by taking reasonable steps in Part 5 of the Bill?

Please use this textbox to provide your answer
Preventing one person or family from becoming homeless denies another person or family the opportunity to rent a property.

The PRS needs rent-paying, low maintenance tenants. This will encourage more landlords to provide affordable, safe homes for tenants.

Mobile Homes

Q13. What are your views on the provisions in the Part 5 of the Bill relating to mobile homes pitch fees uprating?

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Pitch owner’s cost increases are not limited to CPI. The market should determine reasonable increases.

Fuel poverty

Q14. What are your views on the provisions in Part 6 of the Bill relating to fuel poverty?

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No comment

Other provisions in the bill and other comments

Q15. Do you have any additional comments on the other measures the Bill deals with or any other general comments?

Please use this textbox to provide your answer
Tenancy deposits be,one to t(e tenant (or the landlord). The government has no valid claim.

Tenancy agreements are contracts entered into by willing parties. The government has no right to unilaterally a,end these agreement.