OpenLegislation

Housing (Scotland) Act 2001

2001 asp 10 · Enacted 18 July 2001 · Extends to Scotland

Not fully up to date. 10 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 1 August 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 5(4)(a)words substitutedHousing (Scotland) Act 2014 sch. 2 para. 10(2)
sch. 10 para. 13(36)-(40)repealedHousing (Scotland) Act 2014 sch. 2 para. 10(5)(c)
s. 95 and cross-headingrepealedFuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019 s. 18(4)
s. 89(12)insertedFuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019 s. 18(3)
Pt. 2 Ch. 4insertedHousing (Scotland) Act 2025 s. 57(2)
s. 14A(6A)insertedHousing (Scotland) Act 2025 s. 56(2)(a)
s. 89(2)(da)insertedHousing (Scotland) Act 2025 s. 54(2)
s. 36AinsertedHousing (Scotland) Act 2025 s. 29(3)
s. 16AinsertedHousing (Scotland) Act 2025 s. 29(2)
s. 14A(10)words insertedHousing (Scotland) Act 2025 s. 56(2)(b)

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to make provision about housing, including provision about homelessness and the allocation of housing accommodation by social landlords, the tenants of social landlords, the regulation of social landlords, Scottish Homes, the strategic housing functions of the Scottish Ministers and local authorities and grants for improvement and repairs; and for connected purposes.

The Bill for this Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed by the Parliament on 13th June 2001 and received Royal Assent on 18th July 2001C1F1

Annotations to the whole text

Textual amendments

F1

Act modified (temp.) (28.10.2022) by Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 (asp 10), s. 13(1), sch. 1 para. 3 (with ss. 1(2), 6, 7, 8) (which affecting provision is continued until 31.3.2024 by The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 (Amendment of Expiry Dates and Rent Cap Modification) Regulations 2023 (S.S.I. 2023/82), regs. 1(3), 2(2)) (as amended (27.9.2023) by S.S.I. 2023/275, reg. 2(2))

Modifications

C1

Act restricted (16.6.2006) by Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 (c. 13), ss. 43(5), 62(1)(2); S.I. 2006/1497, art. 3, Sch.

Contents

  1. Part 1: HOMELESSNESS AND ALLOCATION OF HOUSING
  2. 1Homelessness strategies
  3. 2Advice on homelessness etc.
  4. 3Homeless persons and persons threatened with homelessness
  5. 4Review of decisions
  6. 5Duty of registered social landlord to provide accommodation
  7. 6Duty of registered social landlord: further provision
  8. 7Persons living in hostel and other short-term accommodation
  9. 8Common housing registers
  10. 9Housing lists
  11. 10Allocation of housing
  12. Part 2: TENANTS OF SOCIAL LANDLORDS
  13. Chapter 1: SCOTTISH SECURE TENANCIES
  14. Creation and termination of tenancy
  15. 11Scottish secure tenancy
  16. 12Restriction on termination of tenancy
  17. 13Termination of joint tenant’s interest in tenancy
  18. 14Proceedings for recovery of possession or termination of joint tenant's interest
  19. 14APre-action requirements where grounds for possession include rent arrears
  20. 15Rights of qualifying occupiers in possession proceedings
  21. 16Powers of court in proceedings for recovery of possession or termination of joint tenant's interest
  22. 17Abandoned tenancies
  23. 18Repossession
  24. 19Tenant’s recourse to court
  25. 20Abandonment by joint tenant
  26. 21Joint tenancies: abandoning tenant’s recourse to court
  27. Succession
  28. 22Succession to Scottish secure tenancy
  29. Tenancy agreement and information
  30. 23Tenant’s right to written tenancy agreement and information
  31. Variation
  32. 24Restriction on variation of tenancy
  33. 25Increase in rent or charges
  34. 26Variation of tenancy by court order
  35. Repairs and improvements
  36. 27Repairs
  37. 28Landlord’s consent to work
  38. 29Reimbursement of cost of work
  39. 30Right to compensation for improvements
  40. 31Effect of work on rent
  41. Keeping pets
  42. 31ATenant’s right to keep a pet Not yet in force
  43. 31BPower to make provision about when a consent condition for keeping a pet is reasonable
  44. 31CPower to make provision about when it is reasonable to refuse consent to keep a pet
  45. 31DRegulations under sections 31B and 31C: consultation
  46. Assignation, subletting and exchanges
  47. 32Assignation, subletting etc.
  48. 33Exchange of house
  49. Short Scottish secure tenancies
  50. 34Short Scottish secure tenancies
  51. 35Conversion to short Scottish secure tenancy
  52. 35AExtension of term of short Scottish secure tenancy
  53. 36Recovery of possession
  54. 37Conversion to Scottish secure tenancy
  55. Miscellaneous and general
  56. 38Appeals
  57. 39Application of sections 23 to 33 to other tenancies
  58. 40Notices
  59. 41Interpretation of Chapter 1
  60. Chapter 2: RIGHT TO BUY
  61. 42The qualifying conditions Repealed
  62. 43Exemptions from right to buy Repealed
  63. 44Limitation on right to buy: registered social landlords Repealed
  64. 45Limitation on right to buy: pressured areas Repealed
  65. 46Limitation on right to buy: arrears of rent, council tax etc. Repealed
  66. 47Limitation on right to buy: conduct Repealed
  67. 48Houses liable to demolition Repealed
  68. 49Discounts Repealed
  69. 50Assistance to tenants to obtain other accommodation Repealed
  70. 51Right to buy: miscellaneous repeals Repealed
  71. 52Reports on right to buy Repealed
  72. Chapter 3: TENANT PARTICIPATION
  73. 53Tenant participation
  74. 54Consultation with tenants and registered tenant organisations
  75. 55Tenant management agreements
  76. 56Tenant management agreements: further provision
  77. Part 3: REGULATION OF SOCIAL LANDLORDS
  78. Chapter 1: REGISTERED SOCIAL LANDLORDS
  79. Registration
  80. 57The register of social landlords Repealed
  81. 58Eligibility for registration Repealed
  82. 59Registration Repealed
  83. 60Removal from the register Repealed
  84. 61Criteria for registration or removal from register Repealed
  85. 62Appeal against decision on registration or removal Repealed
  86. Regulation
  87. 63Regulation of registered social landlords Repealed
  88. 64Insolvency etc. of registered social landlords Repealed
  89. Disposal of land and related matters
  90. 65Power of registered social landlord to dispose of land Repealed
  91. 66Consent required for disposal of land by registered social landlord Repealed
  92. 67Disposals not requiring consent Repealed
  93. 68Disposals of land: consultation with tenants Repealed
  94. Delegation of functions
  95. 68APower to direct certain registered social landlords to delegate functions
  96. Housing management
  97. 69Inspections Repealed
  98. 70Inspection reports Repealed
  99. 71Appointment of manager Repealed
  100. Chapter 2: LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING MANAGEMENT
  101. 72Inspections Repealed
  102. 73Inspection reports Repealed
  103. 74Remedial plans Repealed
  104. 75Remedial plans: appointment of manager Repealed
  105. Chapter 3: COMMON PROVISIONS
  106. Disposals of tenanted houses: consultation and consent
  107. 76Disposals of tenanted houses: consultation and consent
  108. Information
  109. 77Power to obtain information
  110. 78Power to obtain information: further provision
  111. Guidance
  112. 79Issue of guidance by the Scottish Ministers Repealed
  113. Code of good practice
  114. 80Code of good practice Repealed
  115. Charges for regulatory functions
  116. 81Charges for regulatory functions of the Scottish Ministers Repealed
  117. Chapter 4: INTERPRETATION OF PART 3
  118. 82Meaning of “subsidiary” and “associate” Repealed
  119. 83Interpretation of Part 3
  120. Part 4: SCOTTISH HOMES
  121. 84Transfer of functions to the Scottish Ministers
  122. 85Property and liabilities
  123. 86Transfer of staff Not yet in force
  124. 87Dissolution etc.
  125. Part 5: STRATEGIC HOUSING FUNCTIONS
  126. ...
  127. 88Statement on fuel poverty Repealed
  128. Local authorities
  129. 89Local housing strategies
  130. 90Grants for housing purposes
  131. 91Grants for housing support services
  132. 92Assistance for housing purposes
  133. 93Assistance for housing purposes: further provision
  134. 94Alteration of housing finance arrangements
  135. Meaning of “fuel poverty”
  136. 95Meaning of “fuel poverty”
  137. Part 6: GRANTS FOR IMPROVEMENT, REPAIRS ETC. Repealed
  138. Improvement grants Repealed
  139. 96Extension of power to make improvement grants Repealed
  140. 97Application for grant Repealed
  141. 98Age of buildings eligible for grant Repealed
  142. 99Applicant’s contribution to expense of works Repealed
  143. 100Approval of application Repealed
  144. 101Amount of grant Repealed
  145. 102Improvement grants: the tolerable standard and standard amenities Repealed
  146. Repairs grants Repealed
  147. 103Amount of repairs grant Repealed
  148. Fire escape grants Repealed
  149. 104Grants for means of escape from fire Repealed
  150. Improvement of energy efficiency and safety Repealed
  151. 105Improvement of energy efficiency and safety Repealed
  152. Part 7: MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL
  153. Miscellaneous
  154. 106Equal opportunities
  155. 107Local authority maintenance of houses etc. of registered social landlord
  156. 108Meaning of “family” and “spouse”: cohabitation
  157. General
  158. 109Orders and regulations
  159. 110Ancillary provision
  160. 111Interpretation
  161. 112Modification of enactments
  162. 113Commencement and short title
  163. Schedule 1: TENANCIES WHICH ARE NOT SCOTTISH SECURE TENANCIES
  164. 1Premises occupied under contract of employment
  165. 2Police and fire service accommodation
  166. 3Lettings to students
  167. 4Temporary accommodation during work
  168. 5Accommodation for homeless persons
  169. 6Accommodation for offenders
  170. 7Shared ownership agreements
  171. 8Agricultural and business premises
  172. 9Houses part of, or within curtilage of, certain other buildings
  173. 10Accommodation in property not owned by landlord
  174. 11... Repealed
  175. Schedule 2: SCOTTISH SECURE TENANCY: GROUNDS FOR RECOVERY OF POSSESSION OR TERMINATION OF JOINT TENANT'S INTEREST
  176. Part 1: GROUNDS ON WHICH COURT MAY ORDER RECOVERY OF POSSESSION OR TERMINATION OF JOINT TENANT'S INTEREST
  177. 1Paragraph 1
  178. 2Paragraph 2
  179. 3Paragraph 3
  180. 4Paragraph 4
  181. 5Paragraph 5
  182. 6Paragraph 6
  183. 7Paragraph 7
  184. 8Paragraph 8
  185. 9Paragraph 9
  186. 10Paragraph 10
  187. 11Paragraph 11
  188. 12Paragraph 12
  189. 13Paragraph 13
  190. 14Paragraph 14
  191. 15Paragraph 15
  192. 15AParagraph 15A
  193. Part 2: SUITABILITY OF ACCOMMODATION
  194. 16Paragraph 16
  195. 17Paragraph 17
  196. 18Paragraph 18
  197. Schedule 3: SUCCESSION TO SCOTTISH SECURE TENANCY: QUALIFIED PERSONS
  198. 1Qualified persons
  199. 2Paragraph 2
  200. 3Paragraph 3
  201. 4Paragraph 4
  202. 4AOnly or principal home
  203. 5Special rule: specially adapted house
  204. 6Order of succession
  205. 7Paragraph 7
  206. 8Paragraph 8
  207. 9Paragraph 9
  208. 10Notification of right to succeed to tenancy
  209. 11Declining a tenancy
  210. 12Qualified persons: co-operative housing associations
  211. Schedule 4: SCOTTISH SECURE TENANCY: LANDLORD’S REPAIRING OBLIGATIONS
  212. 1Paragraph 1
  213. 2Paragraph 2
  214. 3Paragraph 3
  215. 4Paragraph 4
  216. 5Paragraph 5
  217. 6Paragraph 6
  218. Schedule 5: SCOTTISH SECURE TENANCY: ALTERATIONS , KEEPING PETS, ASSIGNATION, SUBLETTING, EXCHANGE ETC.
  219. Part 1: ALTERATIONS ETC. TO HOUSE
  220. 1Paragraph 1
  221. 2Paragraph 2
  222. 3Paragraph 3
  223. 4Paragraph 4
  224. 5Paragraph 5
  225. 6Paragraph 6
  226. 7Paragraph 7
  227. 8Paragraph 8
  228. Part 1A: Keeping pets
  229. 8AParagraph 8A Not yet in force
  230. 8BParagraph 8B
  231. 8CParagraph 8C Not yet in force
  232. 8DParagraph 8D Not yet in force
  233. 8EParagraph 8E Not yet in force
  234. 8FParagraph 8F Not yet in force
  235. 8GParagraph 8G Not yet in force
  236. 8HParagraph 8H Not yet in force
  237. Part 2: ASSIGNATION, SUBLETTING, EXCHANGE ETC.
  238. 9Paragraph 9
  239. 10Paragraph 10
  240. 11Paragraph 11
  241. 12Paragraph 12
  242. 13Paragraph 13
  243. 14Paragraph 14
  244. 15Paragraph 15
  245. Schedule 6: GROUNDS FOR GRANTING SHORT SCOTTISH SECURE TENANCY
  246. 1Previous anti-social behaviour
  247. 2Anti-social behaviour order
  248. 2AOther antisocial behaviour
  249. 3Temporary letting to person seeking accommodation
  250. 4Temporary letting pending development
  251. 5Accommodation for homeless persons
  252. 6Accommodation for person in receipt of housing support
  253. 7Accommodation in property not owned by landlord
  254. 7ATemporary letting where other property owned
  255. Schedule 7: REGULATION OF REGISTERED SOCIAL LANDLORDS Repealed
  256. Part 1: CONTROL OF PAYMENTS TO MEMBERS ETC. Repealed
  257. 1Payments by way of gift, dividend or bonus Repealed
  258. 2Payments and benefits to officers and employees etc. Repealed
  259. 3Maximum amounts payable by way of fees, expenses, etc. Repealed
  260. Part 2: CONSTITUTION, CHANGE OF RULES, AMALGAMATION AND DISSOLUTION Repealed
  261. 4General power to remove director, trustee etc. Repealed
  262. 5Industrial and provident society: power to appoint new committee member Repealed
  263. 6Company: power to appoint new director Repealed
  264. 7Change of rules etc. by industrial and provident society Repealed
  265. 8Change of articles of association of company Repealed
  266. 9Amalgamation and dissolution etc. of industrial and provident society Repealed
  267. 10Arrangement, reconstruction etc. of company Repealed
  268. 11Power of the Scottish Ministers to petition for winding up Repealed
  269. 12Transfer of net assets on dissolution or winding up Repealed
  270. Part 3: ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT Repealed
  271. 13General requirements as to accounts and audit Repealed
  272. 14Appointment of auditors by industrial and provident societies Repealed
  273. 15Responsibility for securing compliance with accounting requirements Repealed
  274. Part 4: INQUIRY INTO AFFAIRS OF REGISTERED SOCIAL LANDLORDS Repealed
  275. 16Inquiry Repealed
  276. 17Extraordinary audit for purposes of inquiry Repealed
  277. 18General powers exercisable as a result of inquiry or audit Repealed
  278. 19Power to direct transfer of land Repealed
  279. Schedule 8: INSOLVENCY ETC. OF REGISTERED SOCIAL LANDLORDS Repealed
  280. 1Interpretation Repealed
  281. 2Initial notice to be given to the Scottish Ministers Repealed
  282. 3Further notice to be given to the Scottish Ministers Repealed
  283. 4Moratorium on disposal of land etc. Repealed
  284. 5Period of moratorium Repealed
  285. 6Proposals as to ownership and management of landlord’s land Repealed
  286. 7Effect of agreed proposals Repealed
  287. 8Appointment of manager to implement agreed proposals Repealed
  288. 9Powers of the manager Repealed
  289. 10Powers of the manager: transfer of engagements Repealed
  290. 11Assistance by the Scottish Ministers Repealed
  291. 12Application to court to secure compliance with agreed proposals Repealed
  292. Schedule 9: CONSULTATION BEFORE CERTAIN DISPOSALS BY LOCAL AUTHORITY LANDLORD OR REGISTERED SOCIAL LANDLORD
  293. 1Disposals to which this schedule applies
  294. 2Application for consent of the Scottish Ministers
  295. 3Requirements as to consultation
  296. 4Power to require further consultation
  297. 5Consent to be withheld unless majority of tenants in favour
  298. 6Protection of purchasers
  299. Schedule 10: MODIFICATION OF ENACTMENTS
  300. 1New Towns (Scotland) Act 1968 (c.16)
  301. 2Friendly and Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1968 (c.55) Repealed
  302. 3Land Compensation (Scotland) Act 1973 (c.56)
  303. 4Land Tenure Reform (Scotland) Act 1974 (c.38)
  304. 5House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c.24) Not yet in force
  305. 6Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975 (c.30) Not yet in force
  306. 7Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981 (c.59)
  307. 8Finance Act 1981 (c.35) Not yet in force
  308. 9Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 (c.58)
  309. 10Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 (c.66) Repealed
  310. 11Housing Associations Act 1985 (c.69)
  311. 12Housing (Scotland) Act 1986 (c.65)
  312. 13Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (c.26)
  313. 14Housing (Scotland) Act 1988 (c.43)
  314. 15Housing Act 1988 (c.50)
  315. 16Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c.42)
  316. 17Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c.5)
  317. 18Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (c.12) Not yet in force
  318. 19Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c.14)
  319. 20Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (c.28)
  320. 21Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (c.39)
  321. 22Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995 (c.7)
  322. 23Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (c.36)
  323. 24Housing Act 1996 (c.52)
  324. 25Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1997 (c.11)
  325. 26Data Protection Act 1998 (c.29) Not yet in force
  326. 27Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c.37)
  327. 28Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 1)
  328. 29Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 7) Not yet in force