A Bill aimed at improving the quality of rented accommodation across the social and private sectors in Scotland has been introduced in Parliament.

The Housing (Scotland) Bill are designed to enhance housing conditions, retain much-needed social housing for the people of Scotland, as well as to safeguard social and private tenants.

The Bill will end right to buy in Scotland, which will prevent the sale of up to 15,500 social houses over the next 10 years, helping to build more cohesive and sustainable communities. It will also create a private rented sector tribunal which will provide tenants and landlords with access to specialist justice to resolve disputes more effectively.

In addition, changes to mobile home site licensing will improve the rights of the 3,300 households, many of whom are elderly, living permanently in mobile or park homes across Scotland.

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Other measures in the Bill include:

• Introducing a regulatory framework for Letting Agents to help improve overall levels of service and professionalism within the industry
• Enhancing local authority powers to improve the quality of houses in the private sector
• Increasing flexibility in the allocation and management of social housing, allowing landlords to make better use of their stock, tackle anti-social behaviour and provide further protection for tenants.

Commenting on the Bill, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: "Everyone deserves to live in high-quality, sustainable homes that they can afford and that meets their needs. This Bill will contribute to that vision by safeguarding consumer interests, supporting improved quality and delivering better outcomes for communities.

"We are doing everything possible to maximise our investment in housing and deliver on our target of at least 30,000 new, affordable homes over the lifetime of this Parliament.

"By safeguarding social housing through removing Right to Buy we will alleviate the pressure on social housing. With 400,000 people on waiting lists for council and housing association houses, we can no longer afford to see badly needed homes lost to the social sector.

"The introduction of a specialist private rented sector tribunal will provide tenants and landlords with access to specialist justice to resolve disputes more effectively.

"Housing is and will remain a priority for this Government and through the Housing Bill we will continue to support both the private and social sectors."

(JP/IT)