Government urged to help tenants in arrears avoid eviction
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Mark Griffin MSP
Scottish Labour has called for immediate support to be given to tenants in rent arrears to avoid a “tidal wave of evictions” after new figures revealed an increase in the number of court actions recovering properties for non-payment.
The eviction ban, which doesn’t apply to evictions based on the grounds of anti-social behaviour or criminal conduct related to a property, was first introduced as a temporary measure in December and was extended until the end of September.
The regulations are in place only to protect tenants in level 3 or above and were therefore effectively lifted when the majority of Scotland moved to Level 2 in May, halfway through the first quarter of 2021-22.
Figures from the Scottish Housing Regulator for this quarter show an immediate effect, with the number of court actions recovering properties for non-payment increasing by 533% - rising to 38 from just six the previous quarter. All of these evictions come from Registered Social Landlords.
| Court Actions (Combined RSL and LA) | Q4 2020-21 | Q1 2021-22 | % Change |
| Total number of court action initiated | 196 | 299 | 53% |
| The number of properties recovered having obtained decree for non-payment of rent | 6 | 38 | 533% |
| The number of properties recovered having obtained decree for anti-social behaviour | 22 | 16 | -27% |
| The number of properties recovered having obtained decree for other reasons | 1 | 4 | 300% |
Source: Scottish Housing Regulator quarterly dashboard report (Page 11)
Scottish Labour’s Housing spokesperson Mark Griffin said: “These are the first signs of the looming crisis we all feared would follow the end of the evictions ban.
“The total lack of long-term planning from the government has created a ticking time-bomb of evictions, which saw rates spiral instantly in the weeks after the ban was lifted.
“The SNP’s decision to abandon the evictions ban with minimal preparation, making tenants waiting months for the grant fund to open is unimaginably reckless – and it is those who are already struggling that will pay the price.
“A spike in homelessness as a result of the pandemic would be a national scandal. We urgently need to support tenants in rent arrears now in order to avoid a tidal wave of evictions.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We are doing all we can to support tenants who are struggling as a result of the pandemic, with total support for tenants during the pandemic at almost £39m, including a £10m grant fund to help tenants who have fallen into arrears.
“Only a very small proportion of notices of proceedings result in evictions, and a social landlord will make every effort to engage with a tenant on arrears and offer practical support.
“We have been clear from the outset of the pandemic that eviction action must be an absolute last step, which is why we welcomed the recent statement from local authorities, housing associations and private landlords that underlined the sector’s commitment to only taking eviction action as a last resort.”
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