Fife Housing Association welcomes the Scottish Governments recently announced plan to progress with new housing legislation which will give landlords more power to crack down on anti-social behaviour in social housing following overwhelming backing from tenants and social landlords to a recent consultation.

This will be the most fundamental change to individual tenant's rights, since the 'Tenants Charter' was introduced by the 1980 Tenants’ Rights, Etc. (Scotland) Act.

The next stage is to look at the detail proposed changes which will affect the way houses in the social rented sector are allocated and managed. The outcome of these considerations will inform final decisions about what will feature in the forthcoming Housing Bill expected sometime in 2013/14.


Lorna Paterson, Chairperson of Fife Housing Associations said:"Many of our tenants don't understand why they have to put up with people who ignore their tenancy conditions, upset their neighbours and won’t pay rent - or even make the effort to claim housing benefit.

"This proposed legislation will give the landlords more control over who they house, and where, by changing the way affordable rented housing is allocated and managed.

"Whilst we look forward to these new powers to encourage tenants to respect their neighbours, act responsibly and create more balanced communities, equally we are committed to delivering the Scottish Social Housing Charter to deliver more sustainable tenancies."

(CD)