Regulator’s Report on New, Empty, and Rental Homes.

The Scottish Housing Regulator has recently released an early analysis of the data for 2023/24 on new homes, empty homes, and lettings submitted by social landlords. The report highlights some concerning trends that are impacting the availability of social rented homes for those in need.

According to the report, the rate at which Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) are building new homes has decreased and is expected to remain low for the next five years. Additionally, the number of social rented homes becoming empty has also seen a decline over the past two years. These combined factors mean that social landlords have fewer properties available to let, especially for individuals facing homelessness.

Despite the decrease in available homes, both RSLs and local authorities have managed to increase the number and percentage of homes being let to homeless individuals. This is a positive development amidst the challenging housing landscape in Scotland.

Helen Shaw, director of regulation at the Scottish Housing Regulator, emphasised the urgency of the situation by stating, “The Scottish Parliament has declared a national housing emergency, which has placed a spotlight on the need to increase new home constructions and optimize the use of existing properties by social landlords. This is why we have released this preliminary analysis of key data obtained from landlords’ annual information submissions.”

Shaw continued, “The data reveals a concerning decrease in the rate of new home constructions by RSLs, with projections indicating a continued low level of building activity for the next five years. Furthermore, the reduction in the number of vacant homes in the last couple of years means that social landlords have limited housing options for those in need, particularly individuals experiencing homelessness.”

“Despite these challenges, both RSLs and local authorities have managed to increase their provision of homes to homeless individuals, showcasing a commitment to addressing housing needs in Scotland.”

Looking ahead, the Scottish Housing Regulator plans to publish a comprehensive analysis of social landlords’ performance in meeting the outcomes and standards outlined in the Scottish Social Housing Charter by the end of August. Additionally, a detailed analysis of RSLs’ financial forecasts will be released later this year, providing further insights into the financial sustainability of these key housing providers.