In its latest policy paper, Keeping Our Homes Safe and Healthy, SFHA said that, as well as funding, the Scottish Government should provide greater clarity on standards and regulations which may impact housing associations and tenants.

The report noted that housing associations already invest significantly in homes to ensure they are warm, safe and affordable, but warned the cost of resolving historic construction issues would heavily impact rent levels in the absence of Scottish Government funding.

Earlier this year, amid pressure from SFHA, the Scottish Government announced that housing associations and co-operatives will be able to receive grant funding support for cladding remediation for the first time.

SFHA has called for this funding to be extended to any other building safety issues which may be identified from the Single Building Assessments housing associations are carrying out as part of the Cladding Remediation Programme.

The policy paper has also said new regulations must be delivered in a way which is realistic, achievable, and focuses on the best interests of social tenants.

As part of the new Housing Act, the Scottish Government has committed to introducing Awaab’s Law in Scotland from next year.

The law was introduced in England following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak in 2020 due to exposure to damp and mould in a property provided by an English housing association. It requires social landlords to follow clear timescales for responding to hazards within the home, including damp and mould.

SFHA said housing associations were fully supportive of action to eradicate damp and mould, adding that there should also be emphasis on tackling root causes such as structural defects, disrepair and poverty. It said the legislation must also recognise the differing regulatory frameworks between Scotland and England and be implemented in a way which delivers the best outcomes for tenants.

The policy paper has also called for significant reforms to Scotland’s tenement laws, saying difficulties in progressing works on mixed-tenure buildings were impacting tenants’ quality of life.

Over 70% of the homes owned by Scotland’s housing associations and co-operatives are flats, meaning a significant proportion of buildings housed owner-occupiers and private renters as well as social tenants.

Among the reforms proposed in the paper are to take forward recommendations from the Scottish Parliament’s Tenement Maintenance Working Group on building reserve funds and building inspections. It has also supported proposals from the Scottish Law Commission for compulsory owners’ associations arguing it would enable flat owners to make decisions about building improvements.

SFHA policy manager Susie Fitton said: “Providing safe, healthy and affordable homes to tenants is paramount to all of Scotland’s housing associations and co-operatives which is why they invest significantly in repairs and maintenance each year.

“It’s essential that when historic building safety issues are identified that they can be resolved urgently and comprehensively without impacting tenants’ rents. This is why the Scottish Government must ensure funding is available to support housing associations in achieving this as it’s inherently unfair to expect social tenants to pay the price of construction industry oversights through higher rents.

“As well as funding, we need a policy and regulatory framework which works with the housing sector to ensure regulations are achievable and are implemented in the best interests of tenants.”

“We also need to see reforms to Scotland’s tenement laws to ensure that improvement works housing associations wish to make to mixed-tenure buildings can be progressed upon agreement with other residents and owners. Keeping homes healthy and safe is not just a regulatory requirement, it’s crucial to helping tenants live well in their homes and their quality of life.”