30th
Dec 2024
Green Party politicians are urging landlords to refrain from evictions this winter to ensure no one is left out in the cold during the holiday season.
With the controversial moratorium lifted nearly nine months ago, Scotland is facing its first winter without an eviction ban.
The Green Party, which originally introduced the moratorium, argues that this situation is causing significant distress for tenants, who are at risk of homelessness due to the soaring cost of living and rising rent prices.
The Scottish Greens spokesperson for housing in the Scottish Parliament, Ariane Burgess, says: “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.
In 2022, the Greens implemented a policy of rent controls and eviction bans, however they were subsequently removed from the Scottish Government.
Burgess continues: “Both the rent 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.”
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