Councils will soon have the power to enter privately-rented homes to ensure they are being properly maintained by the landlord.
Local authorities will be empowered with a right of entry when provisions enacted in the Housing (Scotland) Act go live in April.
Some councils intend to use the powers to target properties with vulnerable tenants, particularly those with children, who may be less likely to challenge landlords over poor conditions.
The councils will be able to inspect the property and refer the landlord to the Private Rented Housing Panel (PHRP), established to mediate between tenants and landlords, under a "third-party application".
Landlords had to be compelled to make repairs in three-quarters of cases referred to the PHRP in 2013.
The Scottish Government commissioned a child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) to ensure the policy will have no adverse impact on child wellbeing.
The report states: "Anecdotal evidence suggests that tenants are reluctant to take action to force the landlord to undertake necessary repairs or improvements, for a variety of reasons.
"In some cases tenants may not be aware of their rights or be confident in taking action to enforce their right.
"The policy gives local authorities new powers to enforce the repairing standard and to drive up standards in the condition of PRS (private rented sector) homes."
It added: "The available evidence indicates that children and young people from certain groups are more likely to be living in poor quality housing such as ethnic minority, migrant families and students.
"In addition, some authorities have indicated that the new powers could be used in a targeted way with a focus on vulnerable tenants.
"This may mean that the positive impacts may be felt more by children from certain groups.
"For example, the policy may help to address the problems linked to sub-standard housing for children and young people from low-income households, or at risk of homelessness."
It continued: "The number of applications to the PRHP from tenants in 2013 had increased by 12% to 257. Of these, 124 cases proceeded to committee.
"In 33 cases the landlord took action to comply with the repairing standard; in the remaining 91 cases the PRHP were able to issue a repairing standards enforcement order to require the landlord to make necessary repairs and improvements."
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 (Commencement No.4 and Amendment) Order 2015 (SSI 2015/349) sets out the three dates from which specified local authorities may apply to the PRHP.
All authorities will be able to make use of the new powers from April 1.
ends
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