New housing law changes are due to come into effect in Scotland during 2026. Some of these changes may affect tenants’ rights and the way social landlords provide services, including support for people experiencing domestic abuse, requests to keep pets, succession rights and how some rent notices can be sent.
Support if you are experiencing domestic abuse
From 1 August 2026, social landlords will be expected to make sure appropriate support is available where there is reason to believe a tenant has experienced, is experiencing, or may be at risk of domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse can include physical or psychological harm, whether as a single incident or a pattern of behaviour. If you are worried about your safety or someone else’s, contact your landlord or a specialist support service. New rights are being introduced for victims, alongside a new eviction ground, ground 15A, for perpetrators.
Other changes coming from 1 August 2026
Keeping a pet in your home
From 1 August 2026, Scottish Secure Tenants will have the right to ask for written permission to keep a pet. Landlords must consider requests fairly and must not refuse permission without a reasonable reason.
If you apply for permission, your landlord will need to reply in writing within one month. The reply should tell you whether permission has been granted, whether any conditions apply, or why permission has been refused. If no reply is sent within the required time, permission will be treated as having been given.
Succession rights after a tenant dies
Succession is the process where someone may be able to take over a tenancy after a tenant dies. From 1 August 2026, the rules will change for deaths that happen on or after that date.
The person applying to succeed to the tenancy will normally need to have lived in the home as their only or main home for at least 6 months before the tenant’s death. This is a reduction from the previous 12-month period.
Your landlord still needs to have been told that the person was living in the home before the six-month qualifying period began. This means it is important to keep your household details up to date.
If someone qualifies to take over the tenancy but decides not to, they may have the right to stay in the home for up to 6 months from the date they tell the landlord they are declining the tenancy.
If you think succession may affect your household, contact your Housing Officer for advice. They can explain what information is needed and what the rules mean for your circumstances.
Receiving some notices by email
From 1 August 2026, some notices about rent or other charges may be sent electronically, such as by email, but only if both the tenant and landlord have agreed this in writing.
This change only applies to notices about increases in rent or other charges. Other important legal notices, such as Notices of Proceedings, cannot be sent to tenants electronically under this change.
What happens next?
If any of these changes may affect you, or if you have questions about your tenancy, please contact us for advice on 01475 807000 or info@oaktreeha.org.uk