Fair Rent Consultation

The Local Government and Communities Committee is currently considering the introduction of a new bill to govern private rented housing and is interested in hearing your views. The ‘Fair Rents Bill’ aims to increase protection for private tenants by limiting rent increases and allowing them to apply for a “fair” rent. 

Although private accommodation is not the most common housing option among our clients, the number of people choosing private lets is increasing. In response Scottish Refugee Council wants to make sure that people in private lets and those considering it as an option are benefited by this bill which will help to make private renting more affordable. 

SRC is conducting a brief survey and an optional follow-up focus group to learn about your views and experiences of the private rented sector and assess your knowledge of your rights as a tenant.  

With your feedback we can contribute to the bill from the perspective of refugees which we hope will make it more inclusive in its reach and specifically address the needs of the refugee community in private rented housing. It will also help us to find out how we can improve the support we provide for people renting privately. 

The planned focus group will be an opportunity to discuss in more detail your experience including any particular issues or challenges you might have faced. The more we learn we will be able to inform the new bill more effectively and help to improve the experience of private renting for you and other refugees. 

If you want to participate in this survey but would like to have an interpreter then please get in touch and we can arrange to complete the survey over the phone.