http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/13/section/1/notesExplanatory Notes to Housing (Scotland) Act 2025Scottish GovernmentenKing's Printer for Scotland2026-04-16 13 6 November 2025 17 This section imposes a duty on each local authority to carry out an assessment of rent conditions in its area relating to the level of rent, the rate of increase in rent under relevant tenancies of properties in its area (see the definition of “relevant tenancy” in subsection (5)), and the impact that this level of rent and rate of increase in rent has on properties, tenants and landlords in rural areas. Following an assessment of rent conditions in their area, local authorities are required to submit a report to the Scottish Ministers. The first report by each local authority is to be submitted by no later than 31 May 2027 and each subsequent report is to be submitted to the Scottish Ministers at 5-yearly intervals after that. These time periods may be amended by regulations (see subsections (3) and (4)). Local authorities must have regard to any guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers when carrying out an assessment of rent conditions (see section 6(6)).