Section 53 enables the Scottish Ministers, by regulations subject to the affirmative procedure, to extend the protections from discrimination given to renters with children or in receipt of benefits in this chapter to additional cohorts.
	The power is limited to creating new provision which directly corresponds to that for renters with children or receiving benefits and is contingent upon consultation with relevant sector stakeholders.
	This power may be used to amend existing legislation in relation to relevant tenancies. A relevant tenancy is defined in the Act and includes a private residential tenancy under the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, an assured tenancy under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988 and a protected or statutory tenancy under the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984.
	This power is limited in that the Scottish Ministers may only make provision which would be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament if contained in an Act of that Parliament.
Part 1: Tenancy reform Chapter 5: Discrimination relating to children or benefits status: Scotland Section 53: Power of the Scottish Ministers to protect others Effect