Parliament Workbench

Petition · PE01468 · Session 4

Evictions due to under occupation deductions

Closed Submitted 18 Dec 2012 Housing & Planning
Signatures
0
4,755 online signatures with a country
Comments
712
Considered
4 meetings
in the Official Report

What it asks

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to amend Section 16 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 to prevent social landlords from using rent arrears caused by under occupation housing benefit deductions in eviction actions, and instead requiring such under occupation arrears to be pursued as an ordinary debt.

What the petitioner did first

This issue has been raised and discussed in local public meetings in Glasgow, and we have provided a full briefing paper on the proposal to Humza Yousaf MSP, Scottish Government Minister, who has passed same to the Housing Minister. The briefing paper was also forwarded to Johann Lamont MSP. Both Humza Yousaf and Johann Lamont were present at a public meeting of concerned tenants in Govan last month where the proposal was supported by 100 local tenants. Both Shelter Scotland, the STUC and the Glasgow Advice Agency support the proposal in this petition. We await the response from the Housing Minister, and Johann Lamont MSP.
Govan Law Centre defends a high volume of eviction actions in Glasgow, and specialises in the prevention of homelessness across the West of Scotland. We and are our partner agency, the Glasgow Advice Agency, which provides advice services across two-thirds of Glasgow City, have already had many tenants contact us concerned that they will be unable to pay the shortfall in their rents due to under occupancy deductions from April 2013. We, along with other civic and local bodies, have no doubt that unless measures are taken to mitigate the effects of the under occupancy deductions, Scotland will see a significant increase in eviction actions, which may be extremely hard to defend given current housing law.

Where it was considered

Official Report
  1. 16 Apr 2013
    Public Petitions Committee
    New Petitions
    1 mention
  2. 25 Jun 2013
    Public Petitions Committee
    Current Petitions
    1 mention
  3. 12 Nov 2013
    Welfare Reform Committee
    Petition
    1 mention
  4. 19 Nov 2013
    Welfare Reform Committee
    Petition
    1 mention

Signatures by country

4,755 online signatures
  1. Scotland3,714 78.1%
  2. United Kingdom701 14.7%
  3. England240 5%
  4. Wales20 0.4%
  5. Northern Ireland13 0.3%
  6. United States12 0.3%
  7. Not given7 0.1%
  8. Australia6 0.1%
  9. Afghanistan5 0.1%
  10. Uzbekistan4 0.1%
  11. 27 other countries33 0.7%

Comments

712 comments, oldest first
712 comments · showing 1–50
  1. Donna 1 Feb 2013
    I thought the government were elected to help the country and its people. Obviously I was wrong.
  2. Joe Woods 1 Feb 2013
    Its disgraceful that evictions are allowed to happen, where has compassion and understanding went to . Lets start using common sense and help those who need it, stop punishing them
  3. Kevin Hayes 1 Feb 2013
    Where is Tommy Sheridan when you need him most
  4. Annette Dickinson 1 Feb 2013
    I to am affected by this bill, so your speaking to the converted, I know all about the country wide shortage of one bedroomed accommodation, and that this is just another vindictive and bullying measure to persecute the poor, by this evil uncaring govt of millionaires.
  5. Anon 1 Feb 2013
    This is an absolute disgrace. So landlords with only one property like myself are expected to suffer the debt because of someone's job loss or benefit cut? Disgrace.
  6. ross frew 2 Feb 2013
    I wholeheartedly disagree with the bedroom tax and wish to give support to any people affected by this heinous law.
  7. Elaine Man 2 Feb 2013
    Another ridiculous Tory move :(
  8. jacqui Mason 2 Feb 2013
    This should not even be happening, never mind the eviction concern
  9. Nicola McCartney 2 Feb 2013
    I agree.
  10. Dorothy Cook 2 Feb 2013
    This is appalling. I do not know what ends it is meant to serve apart from suffering and misery. Are the government going to magically have the right roomed houses for the families who are evicted due to inability to pay their increased rent? Or how will families fund the increase? Tightening budgets even more leaving vulnerable families with even less to work with.
  11. carole fitzgerald 2 Feb 2013
    This policy of eviction needs to be changed. It affects the poorest in society.
  12. Sharron 2 Feb 2013
    An unfair tax on those who can least afford it....it's a disgrace.
  13. JOAN BORLAND 2 Feb 2013
    GET THIS OUT,OUT,OUT,AND MORE OUT...MUCH AS I HATE SUNNY GOVAN...THEY SHOULD BE PUNTING THIS FOR YOU...I WAS ONCE THEIR 'STAR' PRESENTER...AND ID'V HAD YOU IN REGULARLY TO PROMOTE GETTING SIGNATURES FOR THIS PETITION+DONE A 'JINGLE' TO INFORM +REMIND PEOPLE TOO...I GAVE SUNNY GOVAN 2 QUOTES TO DESCRIBE THEMSELVES:'UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY',AND 'YOUR STATION,YOUR CREATION'...USE THEM...MAKE THEM HELP...IT'S IN THE SMALL PRINT OF THEIR CONSTITUTION AS A REGISTERED CHARITY...USE THEM...THAT'S ACTUALLY WHAT THEY ARE THERE FOR...NOT JUST TO PLAY HIP-HOP...CAN YOU TELL WHY I LEFT?TOO SHALLOW AN OUTFIT FOR ME...BUT THAT WASN'T THEIR REMIT...YOU ARE PROMOTING WAS MEANT TO BE THE NEWS THEY CARRIED TO THEIR COMMUNITY+BEYOND...USE THEM...DON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER...GOOD LUCK...I HAVE SHARED YOUR INFO...KEEP ME POSTED...CHEERS...
  14. Donna Scott 2 Feb 2013
    As a practitioner in the homelessness sector I am appalled at the arbitrary nature of this change in benefit. All of this will lead to vast increases in homelessness and the social cleansing of communities. It is a moral disgrace in a country which prides itself on civic duty to those less fortunate.
  15. JOAN BORLAND 2 Feb 2013
    USE SUNNY GOVAN.MAKE THEM DO THE JOB THEY ARE MEANT TO BE DOING....
  16. Jill O'Sullivan 2 Feb 2013
    I whole heartedly agree with Mike Dailly on behalf of Govan Law Centre Trust's petition. To evict people under these circumstances is barbaric and will only add to an already serious homelessness issue.
  17. Robert Livingstone 2 Feb 2013
    In full support of the petition. The next step the government is going to need to make is to open the "poors house"??? I think not!!!!!
  18. elaine crawford 2 Feb 2013
    i think it is shocking having to give up ur home
  19. Alasdair Whyte 2 Feb 2013
    they wont be satisfied until we are living in overcrowded squallid condition a la Victorian times
  20. Margaret Gow 2 Feb 2013
    An unfair tax from an unfair government...
  21. caroline dougan 2 Feb 2013
    can't pay won't pay
  22. karen oneill 2 Feb 2013
    its took me years to get my house to the standard it is at and now im being forced out!!!!!
  23. Rosie Kane 2 Feb 2013
    A direct attack on the most vulnerable in society which will result in major disruption and trauma devolved powers mean control over housing but not benefits therefore the Westminster government are placing pressure on our alrwady inadequate social housing stock...... please take action against this assault.
  24. Elspeth Crocket 2 Feb 2013
    This current Tory government is worse than Thatcher.
  25. Stephen Hynds 2 Feb 2013
    There May be Trouble Ahead......if push come to shove i will drag my housing association through every court in the land because of this bedroom tax....Sort it out Alex....you want to win our votes for independence....then lets hear what you have to say on this travesty of justice.
  26. patrick marley 2 Feb 2013
    to urge the Scottish Government to amend Section 16 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 to prevent social landlords from using rent arrears caused by under occupation housing benefit deductions in eviction actions, and instead requiring such under occupation arrears to be pursued as an ordinary debt.
  27. Pamela Mitchell 2 Feb 2013
    this is an especially aggressive attack on the vulnerable who's homes are being targeted by a UK government that seems to have no conscience and no interest in anything other than lining the pockets of the rich. It is the biggest social injustice since the Poll Tax of the 80's and is entirely unjustified given that the tax payers within this group of people are already being used to bail out banks, pay bonuses to the failures of these bankers and others and are the victims of the cruelest cuts to their pensions and wages whilst food and petrol prices continue to soar. The Scottish Government MUST NOT Allow this tax to be imposed on the Scottish people.
  28. Fiona Forbes 2 Feb 2013
    I would hope that all local authorities would develop policies and support that will assist tenants. I could suggest a few.
    Also, my hobby horses:
    Call it Landlord Benefit
    SET REASONABLE RENT LEVELS IN PRIVATE SECTOR (eg mortgage over 50 years level)
    SET UP CREDIT UNIONS SO THEY COULD LEND FOR LOW COST MORTGAGES
    LEASE COUNCIL OWNED LAND FOR HOUSE BUILDING(ask me for the conditions to make it practical)
  29. Lynsey Sarah Bell 2 Feb 2013
    I only get £99 a fortnight this is meant to pay bills and food how do the government expect people on low income to be able to live...
  30. ANN MOORE 2 Feb 2013
    JUST ANOTHER R,I,P OFF
  31. Marie McWaters 2 Feb 2013
    Stop this now or it will be too little, too late for the most vulnerable of Scotlands citizens.
  32. Gavin Mitchell 2 Feb 2013
    I cannot believe nor support such an unjust law,affecting some of the most poorest people in our society,and forcing some of them onto the street.Some whose homes are their family homes for generations.It's an unacceptable outrage in this so called democracy and society.
  33. Kirsten Easdale 2 Feb 2013
    My disabled son and the 2 other disabled people he shares his supported living accomodation with, are having to take in an extra tenant in order for them to avoid paying this extra room tax. Although the new tenant will be welcomed into their little family, this does mean that they will lose their existing recreation, quiet room.
  34. sally evans 2 Feb 2013
    who thought up this awful measure? who passed it? disgraceful government. let's at least do something to prevent its worst consequences
  35. helen waddell 2 Feb 2013
    Say no to the latest abomination from whitehall
  36. Wilma Watts 2 Feb 2013
    A poll Tax by another name.
  37. Chuck McGuigan 2 Feb 2013
    Politicians of all parties need to stop the playground game of points scoring against each other and start listening to the people they claim to represent.
  38. Leslie Marsh 2 Feb 2013
    It is about time we remembered that we live in a democracy and we are supposed to be civillised the poor are not here as cannon fodder or scapegoats there is only so much you can take from limited resources
    - but of course
    - like oil companies keep squeezing it till it bleeds, but that is all you have now
    - our blood and there will be more of it with this. Sit in your ivory towers with your cut glass crystal and bad mouth those who are less than you, you who have the lawyers and accountants to find the loopholes so you get tax breaks and don't pay this tax
    - is this what we can expect from an independant Scotland is this the excuse for usuary? this is the new Clearances
    - genocide of a section of the community that you have betrayed every minute of every day while you build your great houses and reputations on the bent backs of those less fortunate.
  39. Rob Scott 2 Feb 2013
    Ridiculous legislation. I am a single parent being penalised for my Childs bedroom, because I am not the parent claiming child benefit, irrespective of how many nights he stays with me. I have been asked to move to a smaller home and give up my Childs room. Not a chance. The reason I applied and was given a 2 bedroom property was so I could have my child stay with me.
  40. Arnold Gray 2 Feb 2013
    This is outragous and will be a blight on our society.
  41. Graeme Young 2 Feb 2013
    Do the right thing please. Help people instead of turning them out of their homes.
  42. craig smillie 2 Feb 2013
    Let's not penalise the poor.
  43. Fiona Hardie 2 Feb 2013
    Think its disgusting that the government are trying to get money out of us for this now.
  44. Peter Thomson 3 Feb 2013
    A most disgusting piece of legislation though, sadly, only one in a series aimed at widening the gap between rich and poor...
  45. Tracey Brown 3 Feb 2013
    The way the tory government is going it wont be long till they have made us into a 3 world country. Time the people took a stand and got rid of the tories before they do any more damage grrrrrrrrrrrrr
  46. Steven Alker 3 Feb 2013
    Though I now live in England, I have lived for 8 years in Scotland and I love the place, the country and the people. Making people homeless is not a Scottish thing, it's the king of repression enacted by a distant English Government. And I'm a pro Independence Conservative!
  47. Lorna Bett 3 Feb 2013
    For me, this is the most odious thing yet to be done to the poorer people of this country. It is tantamount to blackmail, for the councils have no two bedroom houses to give to people. An absolute disgrace.
  48. David Hardy 3 Feb 2013
    I have already contacted my regional SNP MSP.
    They have informed me there is nothing they can do to help as all benefits are under Westminster control. Not the answer i wanted to hear but it was the answer i expected. This tax is most unnecessary and cruel and retrograde. Hope this petition has some force or will it merely fall on deaf ears. Still we all must fight it and resist any way we can!
  49. Caadfael. 3 Feb 2013
    This is regressive, Victorian!!
  50. Johnny 3 Feb 2013
    21 Ct Uk
    - disgrace