Call for Carers rights in new Single Social Tenancy

Scottish Council for Single Homeless (SCSH) today warned that proposals for the new Single Social Tenancy could result in a risk of homelessness for carers and a loss of rights for some tenants.

Responding to a consultation on the new Single Social Tenancy, which is a key aspect of the Housing Bill in the Scottish Parliament, SCSH Director, Robert Aldridge , stated:

"While we welcome the streamlining of rights across the social rented sector, we have a number of concerns about the proposed Single Social Tenancy.

The proposed 12 month qualifying period for carers to assume the tenancy will lead to anxiety and, potentially, homelessness. Carers may give up a secure tenancy to care for another person. If that person dies within one year of their move, they could be left without a home. The 12 month qualification period must be abandoned"

SCSH also warned of the potential loss of rights which would result from a new clause relating to non-payment of rent. Robert Aldridge pointed out:

"This is a new condition, not previously contained within the secure tenancy and we see it as unnecessary. The grounds of having broken the tenancy agreement more than cover the issue of rent arrears. This clause could mean that tenants could be evicted even if their rent account was now up to date. While it would be at the discretion of the sheriff, our experience is that most of these cases are undefended with repossession becoming a formality"