If you have lived experience of renting privately – here’s how you can help shape the future of housing in Scotland

October 4, 2021

The Scottish Government is increasing its funding for TIS and TPAS to engage with tenants who rent privately throughout Scotland to inform a new draft Rented Sector Strategy.

—

The Scottish Government’s long-term national strategy, Housing to 2040, was published in March 2021 and outlines an ambition for everyone to have a safe, good quality, and affordable home that meets their needs in a place they want to be – alongside a route map of how to achieve this vision.

This includes developing a new Rented Sector Strategy which puts tenant participation at its heart – and for the private rented sector (PRS), commits to establishing a Tenant Participation Panel.

Committed to publishing a draft Strategy by the end of 2021, the Scottish Government, has enlisted the support of the Tenants Information Service (TIS) and Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) to engage with individuals who have lived experience as a PRS tenant in Scotland.

Experts in housing, community development and engagement practice, TIS and TPAS, will deliver a series of focus groups, funded by the Government, that invite: students who rent privately; individuals who rent mid-market, and individuals with agricultural tenancies and tied houses to get involved and have their say.

Feedback from the focus groups will support and inform the Scottish Government’s new Rented Sector Strategy and will seek views on:

  • The main challenges that private rented sector tenants currently experience.
  • How to improve private rented sector housing for the better.
  • The private rented sector Tenant Participation Panel, and how individuals can express their views and become instrumental in shaping future PRS policy development.

Tenants’ Rights Minister, Patrick Harvie said:

“We’re working to secure a better deal for tenants and we want to put their experience and ideas at the heart of our new Rented Sector Strategy. I’m pleased that the Tenants Information Service and Tenant Participation Advisory Service are taking forward this important work to gather tenants’ views so we can deliver a fairer, more affordable and more accessible private rented sector.”

Ilene Campbell – Chief Executive at TIS explains:

“Our main focus is to interact and gain a unique insight into the challenges that many individuals are facing in the private rented sector and explore the opportunities to tackle these issues.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals to get involved and shape the future of private rented sector housing in Scotland, and to play an active role in improving services and standards for the better.”

Tony Kelly – Development Officer at TPAS added:

“We are looking forward to this opportunity. PRS tenants will help shape the new Rented Sector Strategy. We are keen to hear from folks from people renting privately in rural and urban areas, from students and those living in mid-market properties.”

Do you rent privately? Do you have any ideas on how to improve private rented housing in Scotland? If the answer is ‘yes’ – TIS and TPAS want to hear from you.

Contact TIS at info@tis.org.uk or TPAS at enquiries@tpasscotland.org.uk for further information and to take part in this unique project.

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash