Long cold winter shows need for permanent protections from eviction
Scottish Greens spokesperson for housing Ariane Burgess MSP is urging landlords to avoid evictions this winter to ensure that nobody is left out in the cold this Christmas.
Almost nine months since the moratorium was lifted, Scotland faces its first winter without an eviction ban in place leaving many tenants feeling less than festive as they face the risk of homelessness due to the rapidly increasing cost of living and rent fees.
Ms Burgess said: “Christmas is a time of togetherness and goodwill to all. This season should serve as a reminder to show compassion and kindness.
“It can be a very difficult time, and there are many families who will go without presents and Christmas day dinners to keep a roof over their heads this year.
“The housing crisis in Scotland is getting worse; yet many homes and buildings lay empty that could be retrofitted and repurposed to create safe, sustainable, affordable social housing.
“Homelessness is on the rise as many cannot meet the soaring fees to rent privately, and I fear that this will increase over Scotland’s first winter since the temporary eviction protections that the Scottish Greens introduced came to an end.
“We brought in a rent freeze and evictions ban in 2022 to ease the financial pressures and stress of insecure tenancies for people during the pandemic.
“Now, both the freeze and ban have ended. The forthcoming Housing Bill should offer stronger rights for tenants, but I fear that what we will get is a watered down version of the bill by the Scottish Government.
“This winter there is a real threat of more tenancies ending abruptly and more people facing homelessness as a result. That is why we need robust and permanent protections.
“In the meantime I urge every landlord and others across the rental sector to be compassionate this winter; to avoid evictions and ensure that everyone has a warm, safe place to call home over the festive season and beyond.”