Greens are fixing a rigged housing market
The introduction of rent controls will be a huge step forward for renters across Scotland, says Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman.
Speaking ahead of the first day of debate of the Housing Bill, Maggie has hailed the work of MSPs and campaigners in getting to this stage and urged the government to be as bold as it can be in and ensure that the bill is as robust as possible.
The Housing Bill was introduced by Patrick Harvie as part of the Scottish Greens’ New Deal for Tenants. It includes rent controls, eviction protections and new rights such as the right to decorate homes and keep beloved pets.
Green MSPs will be moving amendments to make the bill even stronger, including:
- A ban on evictions for the first 12 months of a tenancy
- A permanent end to winter evictions
- Fines for landlords who charge illegal rent increases
- Powers for local government to force owners of derelict property and land to sell or rent them for housing
- Freezes on rent where the property doesn't meet minimum energy efficiency and other standards.
- A right for homeless people with complex needs to access Housing First tenancies, which are proven to prevent homelessness
- An end to property tax breaks enjoyed by the King and other wealthy elites
- Removing the cap on council tax for second and empty homes to help first time buyers and to tackle homelessness
Maggie said:
“This bill is a huge step forward for renters and will finally start to undo some of the damage being done by an out of control landlord lobby who have had their way for too long.
“It’s easy to say the private rental market is broken, but it isn’t. It is rigged. It is doing what it set out to do which is enriching greedy developers and rogue landlords.
“Far too many renters are having to fork out huge sums for extortionate rents, while living in substandard accommodation and in a state of constant anxiety. Things need to change.
“Rent controls work and can play a vital role in addressing the huge imbalance between renters and their landlords. They are common across Europe, where there is no shortage of evidence that they make rents cheaper, help people stay settled in their homes, and force landlords to follow the rules.
“This bill would not be happening without the work of Scottish Green MSPs who introduced it and housing campaigners who have worked around the clock to make it a reality.
“We are tabling amendments that we believe will make this bill even stronger and allow more security and peace of mind for individual renters and families. We hope that the government will work with us to make it as bold and robust a bill as it can be and that we can ensure Scotland’s renters are the best protected anywhere in the UK."