PRIVATE and social tenants will be given increased protection from eviction during the coronavirus crisis under new Scottish Government proposals.
Emergency legislation will increase the minimum notice period to up to six months depending on the grounds used, helping to protect tenants from eviction. The Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill, to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament tomorrow, will also contain substantial further powers and measures to ensure essential public services can continue throughout the coronavirus outbreak.
READ MORE: Mass graves could be introduced if limited morgue spaces fill
Constitution Secretary Michael Russell said: “This new emergency legislation will provide an important backstop to prevent evictions and relieve the financial pressure people may be facing. We are also encouraging all landlords to be as flexible as possible during this unprecedented time and would urge them to also seek assistance if necessary by speaking to their lenders about mortgage breaks.
“This bill will provide substantial additional emergency powers to help the justice system, public services and the economy to cope. These measures, which will be strictly limited to the duration of the outbreak, are absolutely necessary to help us all through the coming months.”
READ MORE: A map of every Scottish coronavirus mutual aid support group
The legislation will also make adjustments to criminal procedure and to other aspects of the justice system to ensure essential justice business can continue throughout the coronavirus outbreak.
Subject to the agreement of parliament, the bill is expected to complete all of its stages on Wednesday.
The majority of measures in the proposals will automatically expire six months after they come into force. The Scottish Parliament may extend these measures for two further periods of six months. Ministers will provide a report in Parliament every two months about the use of these emergency powers amid the pandemic.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here