The Scottish Housing Regulator has launched consultation on proposals that would introduce new, additional ways to challenge regulatory decisions. Under the proposals, the Regulator would establish new mechanisms for reviews and appeals.

The proposed review procedure would provide a process for the Regulator to look again at regulatory decisions quickly and informally. This would likely be the first method of challenge in most cases. The proposed appeals process would enable regulated bodies and individuals to request a formal re-examination of certain regulatory decisions.

Earlier this year the Regulator published a discussion paper seeking views on its early ideas on how appeals and review processes might look.

Kay Blair, the Regulator’s Chair, said: “We are committed to working openly and constructively. Our proposals for reviews and appeals would widen the existing opportunities for those who are directly affected by our decisions to challenge them. We also need to be able to exercise our regulatory judgement to operate effectively, and I believe our proposals strike the right balance.

“The consultation builds on good early dialogue with tenant groups, landlord membership bodies and funders around the ideas we set out in a discussion paper in September. I would encourage organisations to consider our proposals and give us feedback.”

The consultation package includes draft new detailed procedures for appeals and reviews along with an overview paper summarising key themes from feedback to the discussion paper and the Regulator’s response.

Consultation runs until 15 January 2016.

You can read the consultation documents here.