Private Sector Housing

Our communities of practice are a group of like minded professionals that work (or have an interest in) an area of housing practice.

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About

The private rented housing sector has grown considerably over the last two decades and has now  become an integral part of the Scottish housing market. However, poor housing conditions are, generally, concentrated at the lower end of the market that provides accommodation to vulnerable groups.

Local authorities can play a crucial role in driving up standards in the private rented sector, and in the wider owner occupied sector too, the latter being the predominant tenure in Scotland.  SHNs five private sector forums allow local authority officers to come together to discuss the best way to secure successful maintenance and improvement of private sector dwellings, including tenement property, and especially the vital issue of how best to improve and fund the energy efficiency of our older private housing stock.

Our Private Sector Officer continues to work in collaboration with a range of external partners including the Scottish Government and Under One Roof.

Who is it for

This service comprises regular forums, training, good practice, and direct liaison with Scottish Government officials on key issues related to private sector housing services. A dedicated Private Sector Officer provides services to members opting to subscribe to the add-on Private Sector Services.

This network meets twice per annum, focussing on five discrete topics, shown below. This offers a supportive environment for members. Focussed on best practice, as well as the latest policy updates, meetings are always vibrant places to be, to share successes and challenges alike.

Key Content

1

Landlord registration

2

Scottish Houses of Multiple Occupation

3

Property Condition

4

Adaptations

5

Property Factoring

6

Short-term lets

Services

Forthcoming Events

Short Term Let Licensing Forum March 2024

An SHN Knowledge Exchange Forum for Local Authority practitioners involved in Short Term Let Licensing
20th Mar 2024
Online

Private Sector Factoring Forum

Join your local authority colleagues to share the latest updates related to factoring. This is an opportunity for those involved in factoring services to share current issues and good practice.
26th Mar 2024
Online

Landlord Registration and HMO Forum

This is an opportunity to consider updates around legislation and share good practice in the areas of Landlord Registration and Houses in Multiple Occupation
16th Apr 2024
Online

Latest News

13th Annual Empty Homes Conference

13-Feb-24
The 13th annual Scottish Empty Homes Conference will take place in Glasgow on Thursday 29 February. The in-person only event will be held in The Studio on Hope Street near the city centre.

Repairing Standard Statutory Guidance for Private Landlords

01-Feb-24
Scottish Government published updated Repairing Standard Statutory Guidance for Private Landlords on 31st January 2024. Effective from 1st March 2024.

Continuing rent protection for private tenants

01-Feb-24
Regulations to protect tenants concerned about rent increases following the ending of the emergency rent cap have been laid in the Scottish Parliament.

Publications and reports

Private Sector Conference September 2023: A view from Scotland’s Care and Repair Services

Robert Thomson, CO Care and Repair Scotland discusses the role of local authorities and housing association in delivering effective adapataions and support for vulnerbale people. Ruairidh MacKinnon from Care and Repair Lochalsh and Skye shares what an effective local adaptations strategy would look like.

Private Sector Conference September 2023: How can Scotland’s PRS help reduce homelessness?

Ashley Campbell, CIH Policy Manager provides an update on their new research addressing the role of the private rented sector in reducing homelessness.

Private Sector Conference September 2023: Dealing with Scotland’s empty homes

Andy Mosely from Scotland's Empty Homes Partnership provides an overview of their new framework for developing local strategies to bring back empty homes into use.

Past Events

LA Property Factoring

19th Oct 2023
Microsoft Teams

SHN private sector housing conference

A face to face day long event for members of SHN's private sector housing forums to discuss current legislative and policy issues with colleagues from Scottish Government and others.
20th Sep 2023
Wheatley House Glasgow, 25 Cochrane Street, Glasgow, G11HL

SHN STL Forum

An SHN Knowledge Exchange Forum for LA practitioners involved in STL Licensing
5th Sep 2023
ONLINE

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