Halted eviction shows need for ban extension
The last-minute reprieve of a West Lothian resident with a disabled son shows the need for the eviction ban to be extended, Scottish Greens co-leader and Lothian MSP Lorna Slater has said.
Lors, from Livingston, was set to lose her home on Wednesday, despite accommodation which meets her disabled son’s needs not being available for three weeks, but thanks to pressure from The Living Rent campaign supported by Hannah Bardell MP and Lorna Slater the eviction was delayed at the 11th hour to give her time to move her vulnerable family safely.
The Scottish Government introduced an eviction ban in December after this case was raised by the Scottish Greens, but after West Lothian moved to level three this eviction order was progressed by Sheriff Officers.
Commenting, Lorna Slater said: “This family would have been evicted today if it wasn’t for the intervention of Living Rent, and I was delighted to join Hannah Bardell to support that effort. The fact their landlord was ready to kick this family out of their home during COVID restrictions and before suitable alternative accommodation was ready shows why we need more legal protections for tenants.
“It is unacceptable to evict people from their homes during this crisis. That’s why I called for the eviction ban to be extended last week, so situations like this would not arise.
“Housing is a human right, and if landlords cannot respect that it needs to be embedded in legal processes.”