17 Fixing of terms of statutory assured tenancy.S
(1)In this section, in relation to a statutory assured tenancy “the former tenancy” means the tenancy on the termination of which the statutory assured tenancy arises.
(2)Not later than the first anniversary of the termination of the former tenancy, the landlord may serve on the tenant, or the tenant may serve on the landlord, a notice in the prescribed form—
(a)proposing terms of the statutory assured tenancy other than as to the amount of the rent different from those which have effect by virtue of section 16(1)(b) above; and
(b)proposing, if appropriate, an adjustment of the rent to take account of the proposed terms.
(3)Where a notice has been served under subsection (2) above—
(a)within the period of three months beginning on the date on which the notice was served on him, the landlord or the tenant, as the case may be, may refer the notice to a rent assessment committee under subsection (4) below in the prescibed form; and
(b)if the notice is not so referred, then, with effect from such date, not falling within the period of three months referred to in paragraph (a) above, as may be specified in the notice, the terms proposed in the notice shall become terms of the tenancy in substitution for any other terms dealing with the same subject matter and the amount of the rent shall be varied in accordance with any adjustment so proposed.
(4)Where a notice under subsection (2) above is referred to a rent assessment committee, the committee shall consider the terms proposed in the notice and shall determine whether those terms, or some other terms (dealing with the same subject matter as the proposed terms), are such as, in the committee’s opinion, might reasonably be expected to be found in a contractual assured tenancy of the house concerned, being a tenancy—
(a)which begins at the termination of the former tenancy; and
(b)which is granted by a willing landlord on terms which, except in so far as they relate to the subject matter of the proposed terms, are those of the statutory assured tenancy at the time of the committee’s consideration.
(5)Whether or not a notice under subsection (2) above proposes an adjustment of the amount of the rent under the statutory assured tenancy, where a rent assessment committee determine any terms under subsection (4) above, they shall, if they consider it appropriate, specify such an adjustment to take account of the terms so determined.
(6)In making a determination under subsection (4) above, or specifying an adjustment of an amount of rent under subsection (5) above, there shall be disregarded any effect on the terms or the amount of the rent attributable to the granting of a tenancy to a sitting tenant.
(7)Where a notice under subsection (2) above is referred to a rent assessment committee, then, unless the landlord and the tenant otherwise agree, with effect from such date as the committee may direct—
(a)the terms determined by the committee shall become terms of the statutory assured tenancy in substitution for any other terms dealing with the same subject matter; and
(b)the amount of the rent under the statutory assured tenancy shall be altered to accord with any adjustment specified by the committee,
but for the purposes of paragraph (b) above, the committee shall not direct a date earlier than the date on which the notice in question was referred to them.
(8)Nothing in this section requires a rent assessment committee to continue with a determination under subsection (4) above if the tenancy has been brought to an end by order of the sheriff under this Part of this Act or if the landlord and tenant give notice in writing that they no longer require such a determination.