This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Improving Housing Quality In Scotland
12/12/2000
A series of intiatives designed to improve the quality of private housing in Scotland was outlined today by Social Justice Minister Jackie Baillie.
The initiatives follow from the House Condition Survey of 1996 which showed that there was substantial disrepair in parts of the private sector.
The initiatives are:
- The establishment of a Housing Improvement Task Force;
- Consultation on the introduction of an Index of Housing Quality; and
- Changes to the Tolerable Standard for housing in Scotland.
Introducing the package the Minister said:
"While the Housing Bill will make significant changes to the arrangements for improvement and repairs grants for private owners, its primary focus will be on securing better homes and increased rights for tenants in the social rented sector.
"We recognise that we need a more fundamental look at broader issues relating to housing in the private sector to help ensure good quality homes both for owner occupiers and tenants of private landlords."
The Housing Improvement Task Force
The Task Force's review will be conducted in two parts. Firstly, it will consider the legal, administrative and financial elements currently in place which prevent or encourage housing improvement. This analysis will inform the second part of the review which will put forward options for change.
Particular issues which the taskforce will look at are:
- The forms of financial assistance available for owner occupiers;
- The powers available to local authorities to compel private owners to invest in their property;
- The likely effect of providing better information as part of the house purchase process - taking account of proposals for sellers surveys and sellers packs;
- The arrangements in place for the management of flatted blocks in private ownership;
- The proposal for stronger regulation of the privately rented sector, for example, by extending the existing licensing arrangements which have been recently introduced for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs); and
- The effect of tenancy legislation in the private rented sector.
The Index of Housing Quality
The Executive will also consult on the introduction of an Index of Housing Quality to focus action on improvement to ensure that homes have an acceptable level of comfort, are sustainable and safe, and are fit for the households that live in them. The particular elements that it is proposed should form part of the Index are that a home should be:
- Free from serious disrepair;
- Energy efficient;
- Offer protection e.g. secure doors and windows and smoke detectors; and
- Adapted to meet the special needs of the occupant.
The Index would not be statutory but implemented through local housing strategies. Under proposals in the Housing Bill, local authorities will be required to produce local housing strategies taking account of guidance on national priorities published by Ministers.
Ministers propose to include as one of the national priorities that the number of houses that do not meet the above measures should be reduced over time. It would then be for local authorities to decide action on this in their area.
The Tolerable Standard
The Tolerable Standard has been reviewed and following the enactment of the Housing Bill will be amended to include the Standard Amenities. The revised Standard (with the new element in bold) is that a property should be:
- Structurally stable;
- Substantially free from rising or penetrating damp;
- Satisfactory provision for natural and artificial lighting, for ventilation and for heating;
- Adequate piped supply of wholesome water available within the house;
- Has a sink provided with a satisfactory supply of both hot and cold water within the house;
- Has toilet facilities available for the exclusive use of the occupants of the house and suitably located within the house;
- Has a fixed bath or shower and a wash-hand basin, each provided with a satisfactory supply of both hot and cold water and suitable located within the house;
- Has an effective system of drainage and disposal of foul and surface water;
- Has satisfactory facilities for the cooking of food within the house; and
- Has satisfactory access to all external doors and outbuildings.
BACKGROUND
1. The composition of the Housing Improvement Task Force will be announced shortly.
2. The deadline for responses to the consultation on the Index of Housing Quality is 30 April 2001.
3. There are some figures already available for the number of homes which do not meet the measures in the proposed Index of Housing Quality. These include
- 78,000 properties are in serious disrepair;
- 236,000 households are in fuel poverty;
- 432,000 lack smoke alarms; and
- 116,000 homes require improvement to meet the special needs of the occupants.
4. The Tolerable Standard as set out in section 86 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 is to be amended to subsume the standard amenities as set out in Schedule 18 of the Act. Schedule 18 will be repealed by the Housing Bill, which will be introduced shortly. If Parliament approves the Bill and it is enacted, an order will be made amending the Tolerable Standard.
News Release: SE3192/2000
12 Dec 2000