Changes to Scottish housing law will come into force in 2026 and may affect Customers who hold a Scottish Secure Tenancy (SST) or Short Scottish Secure Tenancy (SSST).
You do not need to take any action at this stage. However, we want to make sure you are aware of the changes and know where to find support and advice if needed.
The new legislation is being introduced in phases. A number of these changes came into force on 1 August 2026 and further changes will be effective from 6 October 2026.
Updated tenancy agreements
The Scottish Government has published new model Scottish Secure Tenancy and Short Scottish Secure Tenancy agreements for use from 1 August 2026. These updated models reflect:
- the domestic abuse tenancy provisions
- changes made by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025
- new repair-related duties coming into force later in 2026.
What this means for existing Customers
If your tenancy agreement was granted before these changes take effect, it will not usually be replaced simply because a new model agreement has been introduced. However, the changes in the law may affect how some tenancy rights and responsibilities apply. If we need to issue you with a new tenancy agreement or updated information in future, we will contact you directly.
Domestic abuse and tenancy rights from 1 August 2026
From 1 August 2026, new provisions under Part 2 of the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Act 2021 will give social landlords, such as Places for People Scotland new powers to help victim-survivors of domestic abuse remain safely in their home, where this is appropriate and safe.
In certain circumstances, a social landlord may be able to apply to the court to end the tenancy rights of a tenant (including a joint tenant) who has behaved abusively. The court may then allow the tenancy to be transferred to the victim-survivor. These changes are intended to reduce the risk that someone experiencing domestic abuse has to leave their home, community, school or support network because of the abuse they have experienced.
How decisions will be made
Any application must be considered by the court, which will decide whether the legal requirements have been met.
The court may consider factors such as:
- whether the property is the victim-survivor's only or principal home
- whether the behaviour meets the legal definition of abusive behaviour
- the individual circumstances of everyone involved.
We will consider each case carefully, sensitively and confidentially, and will work with specialist support services where appropriate.
For more information, please visit our Domestic Abuse page or contact us using the details below.
Support for Customers affected by domestic abuse
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 strengthens the focus on the support that social landlords should provide to tenants who have experienced, are experiencing, or may be at risk of domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to:
- physical harm
- psychological harm
- threatening behaviour
- controlling behaviour
- coercive behaviour
- behaviour carried out through another person.
If you are affected by domestic abuse, or are worried about someone else, you can contact us in confidence.
Call: 0131 510 8450 (option 5).
If there is an immediate risk of harm, you should contact the police or emergency services. Local and national support services are also available. Visit our Domestic Abuse page for useful contacts.
Further changes from 1 August 2026
In addition to the changes outlined above, several further changes to Scottish housing law came into force on 1 August 2026.
Succession rights
The rules on who may succeed to a Scottish secure tenancy after a tenant dies are changing.
In some cases, the person who wishes to succeed to the tenancy must have lived in the property as their only or principal home before the tenant’s death. From 1 August 2026, the required qualifying period of time reduces from 12 months to 6 months.
However, this does not mean that everyone living in a property will automatically be entitled to take over the tenancy.
The succession rules will still apply, including:
- the person’s relationship to the tenant
- whether the property was their only or principal home
- whether there have been any previous successions.
Rent increase notices
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 updates the rules on how rent increase notices may be given under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.
From 1 August 2026, we may be able to send rent increase notices by email in certain circumstances.
If we propose to increase your rent, we will give you the required notice in line with the legal requirements that apply at the time. We will explain what the notice means, the proposed new rent, and any steps you can take if you have questions or concerns.
See our webpage for further details on our rent and service charge reviews.
Keeping pets
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 introduces a new right for Customers with a Scottish Secure Tenancy to ask for written permission to keep a pet.
Where permission is required, we must not unreasonably refuse this.
From 1 August 2026:
- Customers can request permission in writing to keep a pet or pets
- We must respond in writing within one month of receiving the request
- We must confirm whether consent is granted
- We must advise whether any reasonable conditions apply
- If permission is refused, we must explain the reasons for the decision.
Further requirements may be set out in regulations or guidance.
Changes on 6 October 2026
Damp and mould repairs
New repair-related duties, commonly referred to as “Awaab’s Law”, are expected to come into force on 6 October 2026 through the Investigation and Commencement of Repair (Scotland) Regulations 2026.
These new requirements will introduce clear timescales for landlords to:
- investigate reports of damp and mould
- confirm the outcome of the investigation to Customers in writing
- begin any necessary repair works within the required timescales.
These duties are intended to strengthen existing protections and help ensure that damp and mould issues are dealt with promptly.
What you should do
Please continue to report any repair concerns, damp or mould, as soon as possible.
All emergency repairs need to be reported by phone. Please call us immediately on 0131 657 0600 to report an emergency repair. The line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Visit our webpage for further details on reporting non-emergency repairs.
We will update our policies and procedures to reflect the new legal requirements and will provide further information where a change directly affects you.
Further changes to Scottish housing law
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 includes other changes that are not yet fully in force and may require further regulations or guidance before they are implemented.
These include changes relating to:
- homelessness prevention
- repossession proceedings
- additional protections for tenants.
We will continue to provide updates when the Scottish Government confirms implementation dates and publishes any supporting regulations or guidance.
Until then, your current tenancy rights and responsibilities continue to apply, subject to any changes that have already come into force.
What Customers need to know
For most Customers, there is nothing you need to do at this stage.
These changes are intended to:
- strengthen protections for tenants
- improve support for people affected by domestic abuse
- update how some tenancy rights operate.
We will continue to keep Customers informed as further changes come into force.
Further information
If you have any questions about these changes, your tenancy, or the support available to you, please contact us on 0131 657 0600.
You may also wish to seek independent advice from:
- Citizens Advice
- Shelter Scotland
- a solicitor or another independent advice agency.