Question reference: S5W-31766
- Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 11 September 2020
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Current status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 24 September 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to giving local authorities the statutory right to buy properties from landlords who are struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer
The Affordable Housing Supply Programme can already support the purchase of second hand homes by local authorities or registered social landlords where this makes strategic sense. Private landlords interested in selling their property should in the first instance contact the relevant local authority to discuss whether this is an option.
We are supporting Landlords who have 5 properties or fewer and have lost rent due to the pandemic through the Landlord Loan scheme, more information can be found at the following link; www.covidlandlordloan.est.org.uk .
There are no plans to give local authorities the statutory right to buy specific properties from landlords who are struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.