Kevin Stewart MSP
Written 30 posts
Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
Changes in the Private Rented Sector – May 2018
23rd May 2018
It’s just over six months since the Scottish Government introduced the new Private Residential Tenancy and it’s important that everyone renting privately, or thinking about it, knows about these changes and their new rights. Since 1 December 2017, all new tenancies in the Private Rented Sector have been private residential tenancies (existing short assured tenancies…
Eradicating fuel poverty: Housing Minister, Kevin Stewart
21st May 2018
Eradicating fuel poverty is crucial to making Scotland fairer and that is why we will shortly introduce the Fuel Poverty (Target, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Bill. This Bill, which many will know as the Warm Homes Bill, will enshrine in legislation our long term ambition to eliminate fuel poverty. Of course, fuel poverty is about…
Fire and smoke alarm regulations
3rd April 2018
I recently announced that the Scottish Government would be strengthening the current standards we have in place for fire and smoke alarms to ensure all homes have the highest level of protection by the end of 2020. Fire alarms are proven to save lives and are one of the most important investments you can make…
Ending homelessness
29th March 2018
This week I chaired the first meeting of our newly refreshed Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group (HPSG). The group has been re-convened to oversee the work of the Scottish Government, local government and partners to end homelessness in Scotland for good. I am looking forward to taking action through this forum in partnership with colleagues…
Registered property factors- consultation on a draft revised Code of Conduct
21st December 2017
Property factors play an important role in housing in Scotland. They help many homeowners ensure that the shared spaces connected to their property- roofs, communal stairways, shared gardens and so on are properly maintained. The Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 established a framework to better protect homeowners who use factoring services. The 2011 Act created…
We’re changing private renting for the better
22nd November 2017
From 1 December a new private residential tenancy will be introduced, giving greater security to tenants and safeguards for landlords. This new type of tenancy will have no end date and can only be ended either by a tenant giving written notice to their landlord or by the landlord using one of 18 grounds for…
Housing has the power to change lives
21st September 2017
As Housing Minister I have seen first-hand the difference the right home in the right place can make to an individual, a couple or a family. Last month I opened a new housing association development and one of the families I spoke to, whose child has autism, told me their new home and its garden…
Housing (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill introduced to Parliament
5th September 2017
Legislation will support the delivery of 50,000 new affordable homes I’m delighted that legislation to support the delivery of 50,000 new affordable homes and protect the Scottish Government’s budget has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. The Housing (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill responds to last year’s decision by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) that Registered…
Polnoon – a model for housing development
11th May 2017
I appreciate that a blog about a new housing development might not initially seem the most exciting of topics, but after my visit last week to the Polnoon housing development in East Renfrewshire, I hope as you read on you’ll be as enthused as I am about it! As we all know, good-quality, well-planned housing…
Building change for Scotland – reflections on a big week for housing
17th March 2017
This week has been full of important announcements and milestones for affordable housing in Scotland. At the start of the week the Cabinet Secretary announced that over £590 million will be made available for 2017/18 to increase the supply of affordable homes in Scotland. I was so pleased to see this announcement being made –…