Further to our recent article on Scottish Housing Reform, we’ve prepared this update on the Housing (Scotland) Bill, highlighting the key points for landlords.

The Housing (Scotland) Bill has now passed its final stage in parliament and will soon become law. It introduces long-term changes to the private rented sector (PRS).

While some measures add pressure on landlords, many restrictive amendments were rejected.

Below is a summary of the key points and timeline relevant to landlords across Scotland.

Key Points

• Rent Controls: Within Rent Control Areas (RCAs), rent increases capped at inflation +1% (maximum 6% per year).
• Tenant Rights: Tenants gain rights to request pets, personalise homes, and end joint tenancies more easily.
• Older Tenancies: Provision for converting assured and short-assured tenancies into Private Residential Tenancies (PRTs).
• Rejected Proposals: No winter eviction ban; no block on evictions during first 12 months of tenancy.
• Above-Cap Increases: Possible in cases where landlords have kept rents below market or invested in improvements.

Timeline of Events

• Bill introduced: March 2024
• Final Stage Passed: September 2025
• Royal Assent (becomes law): Late 2025
• Rent Control Areas Designated: From 2027 (earliest)

Secondary legislation will provide detail on how RCAs are applied, exemptions, and rules on pets, personalisation and joint tenancies.

Many measures will not take effect until 2027 or later, so landlords should prepare early and keep informed of regulatory updates.

As ever, the regulatory landscape in Scotland continues to shift. We’ll be keeping a close eye on developments and will keep landlords updated as further details and secondary legislation are introduced.