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I greatly appreciate the clarity that the cabinet secretary has provided on that, which will reassure those who are concerned about the nature of the Government’s amendments, as opposed to the intent behind them. Given the complexities and the potential for knock-on effects elsewhere, we need to make sure that we look at the issue in the round. That is relevant in relation to Awaab’s law and the amendments to legislation that are required in that regard. We must make sure that the scope of the amendments is correct and that matters such as other hazards and the need to consult the private rented sector are encompassed. We must look at all those issues in the round, and I very much look forward to taking part in those conversations.

I thank Maggie Chapman for that clarification, but I am still a little unclear about how it would work in practice. You have said that the information would not necessarily be about which union to join, and I believe that there should be some duty on the tenant to look into the matter. My point is perhaps that it works both ways. We might disagree on that, but I think that the onus needs to be on both the landlord and the tenant in that instance, instead of on just one of them.

I agree with the comments that have been made already. We are in a housing emergency, which has been acknowledged not only by councils up and down the country but in the Scottish Parliament.

I agree with Mark Griffin’s comments about SMEs in particular. We do not want them to be priced out of development. We need to ensure that developments can happen across the country in suitable and appropriate areas. Based on that, I believe that we should have the minister in to discuss that matter further and so that we can ask questions.

I understand exactly what Maggie Chapman is attempting to do with amendments 273 and 274, but I do not think that requiring the landlord to provide the tenant with information on the ability to join a tenants union is as clear-cut as it might look on paper. There might be issues in relation to how that information is conveyed. We are living in a digital world, so would it need to be done by email or physically? All of those things need to be worked out before we even begin to discuss the issue. I am a little concerned about discussing the proposal without understanding exactly what the landlord would be required to do and how they would be required to do it. How the tenant would be able to join the union is another issue that would need to be resolved. A lot more information is required than is contained in the amendment.

The reason for my lodging amendment 516, to which I will speak in due course, was frustration at the slow pace at which we are beginning to deal with buildings with that particular facade and the safety and wellbeing of people who reside in such buildings and are therefore impacted.

As I have said, I will be able to speak to my amendment in a little while, but I will just say that I did want to extend its scope—although I do recognise that that would have made it fall outwith the competency of the bill. We might be talking about housing, but there is clearly an issue with other buildings that have cladding such as hotels, hostels, boarding houses and care homes, to name just a few. Will that issue be part of the consultation? Will we look at the test standard, which has been declared not fit for purpose?

I will pick up on the points about defining “quality” and “energy efficiency” that were raised by Maggie Chapman and which she discussed in her subsequent exchange with Graham Simpson. It is important to acknowledge that we are reviewing the EPC rating system. That could have happened way before now—it is long overdue—but we probably need to see what the review concludes before even beginning to look at the minimum standards that are required for a rent increase.

With regard to energy efficiency, as things stand, it is very hard for rural homes to do what is required to achieve an EPC rating of C. If the system used our current energy efficiency standards, it would be incredibly difficult for landlords with properties in rural areas to achieve that rating, which would prevent them from increasing the rent, so we need to look at the issue in the round. I am also a little concerned about how you would define “quality”, because it is very broad term that it is open to interpretation by individuals. I will leave my comments there.

Does the cabinet secretary agree that, should amendment 258 be agreed to, under the existing EPC rating system, it will be really difficult for landlords with rural properties to upgrade their homes to reach the required rating, given how the process is undertaken and assessments are made and determined?

Given that I have supported quite a lot of Willie Rennie’s amendments in this group, it would be remiss of me not to make a short contribution. I totally agree with the points that he has made. In our scrutiny of the bill, we must put in place the correct safeguards to ensure that we drive up investment so that the private rented sector, and other housing sectors, will not be detrimentally impacted by rent controls.

This might be another consequence of the Government not consulting properly in all areas before introducing legislation. I would have hoped that what happens between tenancies could have been teased out before we reached stage 2, because it was raised at stage 1 and even before then, not only by the sector but by members. I am pleased to support Willie Rennie’s amendments, and I look forward to hearing the cabinet secretary’s responses to all the amendments in this group.

Given the discussions that we have had, I will move the amendment.

Amendment 107 moved—[Meghan Gallacher]—and agreed to.

Section 14—Properties subject to modified rent control area restrictions

Amendment 294 moved—[Shirley-Anne Somerville].

Yes, I will work alongside the cabinet secretary, Willie Rennie and other members in relation to that point.

It is important that, as we move forward, we make sure that we listen to concerns from the sector and, in particular, from investors. We do not want to stifle the market. Since stage 1, the position of the Scottish Conservatives has principally been to oppose rent controls but, should they be introduced, to make sure that we take an appropriate and measured approach. That is the best way of moving forward. I welcome the tone of the debate today and the exchanges from all members.

Amendment 102, by agreement, withdrawn.

Amendment 150 moved—[Meghan Gallacher].