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Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 20 December 2024
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Displaying 541 contributions

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Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Rural Affairs and Islands Remit

Meeting date: 11 September 2024

Emma Roddick

Good morning. The cabinet secretary will be aware of comments from fishermen in Shetland about the advising of quotas and that happening far enough in advance that fishermen are able to plan. I hope that she will be able to comment on how that could be improved in the future so that fishermen are not, as they put it, fishing on a hope and a prayer until they know the quota that they are working to.

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Housing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 10 September 2024

Emma Roddick

If similar rent increases to those in Edinburgh and Glasgow were seen in other areas, would the Government seek to implement rent control areas there, as well?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Housing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 10 September 2024

Emma Roddick

It sounds like the language that is being used is different, at this point. It is about councils making proposals rather than ministers making decisions based on the reports that all local authorities have to provide. Is the bill moving more towards councils requesting rent control areas? How would that be different to measures such as the likes of rent pressure zones, which no council has managed to implement?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Housing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 10 September 2024

Emma Roddick

Why is the onus on tenants to challenge rent increases? We heard from a panel of tenants who proposed an alternative system, whereby landlords should have to apply to a third party, such as rent service Scotland, to increase the rent for their property. That would place the onus on landlords to ensure compliance, and it would improve data collection and relieve the pressure on local authorities to collect the data. What are your views on that?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Housing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 10 September 2024

Emma Roddick

If the data suggests that rent controls are required but the council is not minded to recommend that a control area be defined within its area, is the minister prepared to implement one?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Housing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 10 September 2024

Emma Roddick

Local communities have been mentioned as consultees a few times now, but the bill refers to local authorities and representatives of tenants and landlords in that regard. Is consulting the wider community a change in direction?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Housing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 10 September 2024

Emma Roddick

Some private landlords are concerned that, in a rent control area, rent increases between tenancies would be restricted. That is where a lot of rent increases happen. Could you speak to how that might come across in the bill and, in particular, how it could affect rents in rural areas?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Housing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 10 September 2024

Emma Roddick

I absolutely agree, but tenants would not have to be so aware of their right to challenge rent increases if landlords had to justify increases in the first place. Should there not be an onus on the landlord to do that?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Housing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 10 September 2024

Emma Roddick

Therefore, the Government is not open to moving the onus on to landlords.

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Housing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 10 September 2024

Emma Roddick

I just want clarification. If the local authority carries out an assessment and the data suggests that rent increases are too high in a particular area but the council is not minded to recommend a rent control area, is the minister prepared to direct one anyway?