Statute: Housing (Scotland) Act 2001
Applies to: scotland
Notice periods: [object Object]
The Scottish Secure Tenancy (SST) is the long-term social sector tenancy in Scotland, governed by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and in force since 30 September 2002. Local authorities and registered social landlords grant SSTs to tenants in council houses and housing association properties. It is the Scottish equivalent of the Secure Tenancy under the Housing Act 1985 in England and Wales.
Strong security of tenure
An SST runs until the tenant ends it or the landlord obtains a possession order on a statutory ground. The landlord cannot end the tenancy without going through the Sheriff Court on one of the grounds in Schedule 2 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001. Grounds include rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, abandonment, and breach of tenancy. The court decides reasonableness on discretionary grounds.
Rights of the tenant
SST tenants have the right to succeed the tenancy to a spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, or family member on the tenant's death, subject to qualifying conditions. They have the right to exchange with another SST tenant through mutual exchange. They can carry out certain alterations with landlord consent. The Right to Buy, however, was abolished in Scotland by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 and is not available to new SST tenants.
Short Scottish Secure Tenancies
Registered social landlords can grant Short Scottish Secure Tenancies (SSSTs) in limited circumstances, for example for anti-social behaviour, homelessness support, or probationary periods. SSSTs last at least six months and give less security than a full SST. At the end of the short period, the tenancy either converts to a full SST or the landlord can seek possession with modest grounds.
Repairs and standards
Scottish social tenants benefit from the Scottish Housing Quality Standard, which covers condition, energy efficiency, and safety. The Scottish Social Housing Charter sets out service standards and is regulated by the Scottish Housing Regulator. If a tenant's property falls below standard, the Housing and Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal can order works.
Relationship to the Renters' Rights Act 2025
RRA 2025 applies to England (and partly Wales). Scottish Secure Tenancies continue unchanged under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001. The Scottish housing sector has its own regulatory framework and ombudsman scheme, and tenants should refer to Scottish guidance rather than English materials on possession, rent review, or repair rights.