Minutes: 04 October 2022

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4 and 5 in private.

2. Proposed legislation on a rent freeze and evictions moratorium:

The Committee took evidence from—

John Blackwood, Chief Executive , Scottish Association of Landlords;

Caroline Cawley, Member and Emma Saunders,National Organiser, Living Rent ;

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns, Propertymark;

Aaron Hill, Director of Policy and Membership, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations;

John Kerr, Vice Chair, Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO);

Rhiannon Sims, Senior Policy Officer, Crisis;

and then from—

Patrick Harvie, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights , Amanda Callaghan,Head of Private Housing Services, James Hamilton,Lawyer, Scottish Government Legal Directorate, Adam Krawczyk,Head of Housing, Homelessness and Regeneration Analysis and Shazia Razzaq,Strategic Lead, University Policy, Governance and Equalities, Scottish Government.

Paul McLennan and Mark Griffin declared interests as owners of private rented properties. 

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument— Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Order 2022

4. Proposed legislation on a rent freeze and evictions moratorium (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

5. National Care Service (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee agreed its approach to the Bill as a secondary committee.