The Scottish Government is launching a £10m support scheme for tenants who are struggling to pay their rent as a result of the pandemic.

The Tenant Hardship Loan Fund will open later in the Autumn to provide interest-free loans for those unable to access other forms of support for their housing costs.

The Discretionary Housing Payment fund which helps tenants in receipt of benefits will be increased by £3m to £19m. 

It comes on top of the £60m provided through the DHP budget to mitigate the impact of the bedroom tax in Scotland.

Ministers have also previously announced that they plan to extend the eviction ban for a further six months to March 2021, pending approval from the Scottish Parliament.

They have promised to introduce new regulations to return the notice period for evictions relating to anti-social or criminal behaviour to one month to protect neighbours.

Scottish housing minister Kevin Stewart says: “Tackling inequality and supporting people is a central theme of this year’s programme for government and this package of support for tenants is part of that.

“We already know that the pandemic has hit the lowest earners hardest and the Scottish Government has already put in place a range of actions in place to support tenants.

“This new £10 million fund, along with a further increase in our Discretionary Housing Payment funds, will mean that no one should be left in a position where they cannot access support to pay their rent. 

“The intention is that this fund will open in November for those unable to access other forms of support to help meet their housing costs.

“We have been clear that no landlord should evict a tenant because they have suffered financial hardship due to the pandemic.

“I fully expect landlords to be flexible with anyone facing such challenges, signposting them to the sources of financial support available, and tenants in difficulty should engage with their landlord and seek advice on the options open to them.

“I can confirm today that emergency legislation will be extended to ensure no evictions can take place until March 2021. 

“However, since the initial legislation was introduced we have listened carefully to tenants and housing authorities concerned that a three month notice period is too long where tenants have behaved in an anti-social or criminal way. 

“We are therefore reverting back to a one month period for repossession for such cases to ensure we can protect other tenants, neighbours and landlords who should not have to tolerate such behaviour.”