Greens call for SNP to make urgent U-turn on ending renter protections
The Scottish Government has been urged to make an urgent U-turn by reinstating renter protections that it has allowed to expire this morning.
The protections were introduced by the then Green Minister Patrick Harvie following the year long rent freeze. This mechanism potentially allows rent increases to be limited to no higher than 12% if a tenant applies to a rent officer for a decision.
The system was designed to support the transition away from the rent cap and to the forthcoming system of Rent Control Areas, avoiding a ‘cliff edge’ for renters and protecting them from excessively large increases.
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman said:
“From this morning, renters all over Scotland will be getting notices from their landlords hiking up their rents with little notice or chance to appeal.
“It will be a dark day for renters, but rogue landlords will be celebrating in the knowledge that they are no longer being constrained.
“It doesn’t need to be like this. The Scottish Government can stop it. The support that the Scottish Greens secured can be extended, offering renters protections from the most predatory landlords.
“All parties agree that we are in a housing emergency. The last thing we should be doing is allowing rents to be increased without limit.”
Ms Chapman added:
“We need a robust and permanent system of rent controls that can support renters and offer protection and stability. I hope that the upcoming Housing Bill will deliver on that and will help us to repair a broken housing market.
“Homes are for living in, not for profiteering. We need fundamental change if we are to ensure everyone has a warm, comfortable and affordable place to call home.”