Housing Scotland Act 2025
6th August 2026
This information has been prepared to raise awareness of the new Scottish housing legislation introduced by the Scottish Government, which is intended to strengthen protections for tenants.
A new model Scottish secure tenancy agreement and short Scottish secure tenancy agreement will be used for all tenants starting a new tenancy from 1 August 2026.
Existing tenants do not need to sign a new tenancy agreement.
The main changes to existing tenancy conditions are outlined below:
- A new ground allows landlords to seek an order to terminate an abusive tenant’s interest in the tenancy where the remaining tenant wishes to stay in the property and it is safe for them to do so.
- Landlords will be required to respond to reports of damp or mould within set timescales, including providing tenants with details of any work required and the expected timescale for resolving the issue under UK social housing regulation Awaab’s Law.
- The qualifying period for a household member to apply to succeed a tenancy following the tenant’s death has been reduced from 12 months to six months.
- Notices about increases to rent or other charges may be delivered electronically where both parties agreed to this method of delivery at the start of the tenancy.
Further information is available from the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 and Awaab’s Law: Guidance for tenants in social housing - GOV.UK.
