FMQs: Scottish Government urged to keep crucial renter protections in place
The Scottish Government has been urged to support tenants by maintaining protections that are set to expire next month.
In 2022 the then Green Minister, Patrick Harvie, introduced a temporary cap on most in-tenancy rent increases. Since the end of the cap in March 2024, there has been a temporary rent adjudication system in place, also introduced by Mr Harvie. This potentially allows rent increases to be limited to no higher than 12% if a tenant applies to a rent officer for a decision.
At the time, the Scottish Government said that the rent adjudication system was to support the transition away from the rent cap and to the forthcoming system of Rent Control Areas, and protect tenants from excessively large rent increases which could be experienced if there is a sudden move to open market rent levels that have been suppressed.
The Scottish Government has indicated to the Scottish Association of Landlords that the temporary restrictions will not be renewed at the end of next month.
In her first question to the First Minister, Ms Slater said:
"Rents across Scotland are skyrocketing. Tenants are paying the price, while private landlords are lining their pockets.
“And whilst the upcoming Housing Bill finally promises permanent rent controls to fix the system, these won’t come into force until 2027.
“Right now, tenants are protected by temporary controls introduced whilst the Greens were in Government.
“But these protections are set to expire in just two months, exposing tenants to extortionate rent increases. And despite having the powers to extend these protections, the Scottish Government has pledged not to.
“First Minister - will you do the right thing to protect tenants and ensure these temporary protections are extended until permanent rent controls are in place?”
In his response the First Minister did not commit to maintaining the existing protection.
In her second question, Ms Slater said:
“First Minister, the cost-of-living crisis for tenants has not gone away. Over the last 10 years, monthly rent for a two-bed flat in Edinburgh has more than doubled.
“Some tenants are already reporting spending more than 70% of their income on rent. We agree on the need for permanent rent controls in the Housing Bill.
“But this Government’s decision to scrap vital bridging rent controls will give landlords free rein to hike rents for two years. It is absolutely no surprise that the Association of Landlords has called it, to quote, “a very welcome announcement.”
“But what does the First Minister have to say to renters who will be facing this cliff-edge in just a few weeks’ time?”