Regulator wants a "strong tenant voice"

Social housing regulation in Scotland is set to change after the housing regulator launched a discussion paper inviting tenants and landlords to contribute their views by 30 March.

The paper sets out the body’s early thinking on its future approach, regulatory priorities and how it will work.

It will use the feedback to develop detailed proposals for a new regulatory framework before consulting on it later this year.

One of the themes in the paper is how landlords and the regulator can promote a strong tenant voice.

George Walker, chair of the Scottish Housing Regulator, said: “For social landlords, effective ways for tenants and service users to have their voices heard are critical. Our work to date has promoted a strong tenant voice.

“We want to build on the strengths and successes of the existing regulatory framework. We also want to learn from our experiences over the last five years, respond to new challenges and consider the future context for landlords.

“We want our work to have the most positive impact that it can, so we have also taken account of the latest thinking in wider regulatory best practice.

“We are keen to hear what people think about our ideas overall, and to get their views on a number of more specific questions. We welcome feedback from all organisations and individuals with an interest in our work.”

The paper explains how it will continue to focus on safeguarding and promoting the interests of tenants, people who are homeless and others who use social landlords' services.