The right of council and social housing tenants to buy their homes at a discounted rate is to be scrapped, it has been confirmed.

The scheme, known as Right to Buy, will be phased out over the next two years. The Scottish Parliament has said this will allow tenants enough time to consider their options and apply to buy their homes before the right is abolished.

While 'Right to Buy' has driven-up home ownership in Scotland, it has contributed to a shortage of social housing. With the scrapping of the legislation, a new Bill – the Housing (Scotland) Bill – has been passed by MSPs, which will help to improve housing conditions, and put in place safeguards for social and private tenants. The Bill will allow for the establishment of a private rented sector tribunal which gives tenants and landlords access to specialist justice and allow them to resolve disputes more effectively. Further amendments to mobile home site licensing will also improve the rights of more than 3,000 households living permanently in mobile or park homes across Scotland, it has been said.

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Other measures include the introduction of a regulatory framework for letting agents, as well as giving local authorities new discretionary powers to tackle poor housing conditions in the private sector.

Welcoming the new laws, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: "This is a historic day for housing as it marks the end of Right to Buy social housing in Scotland.

"Stakeholders from across the sector have given this legislation widespread support as they recognise that we have put together a package of measures which will help improve housing in the social, private rented and owner-occupied sectors.

"I put forward a number of amendments to the letting agent provisions in the Bill to provide a robust regulatory framework that will ensure consistent and high standards of service for tenants and landlords across Scotland.

"I am very grateful to all those who have contributed their views on the Bill over the last nine months and more."

(JP/MH)