Greens unveil plan to end rip-off rents
Scotland needs robust rent controls that will save renters money, say the Scottish Greens who have published plans to end rip-off rents with their proposals in the upcoming Housing (Scotland) Bill.
Independent analysis from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre shows that renters in a two bedroom flat would have saved at least £1000 per year if the model proposed by the Greens had been in place since 2019. It shows that someone renting a two-bedroom property in Lothian would now be at least £272 a month better off.
Amendments lodged by the Scottish Greens would mean that rent will increase no more than the cost-of-living or increases in wages. And for those areas where rents are already too high, Councils could put in place lower increases, freezes or rent reductions.
Along with proposals to end winter evictions, allowing tenants to withhold rent for poor quality properties, and to force absentee landlords to sell derelict properties for housing, Greens are working to ensure that everyone has a warm, safe and affordable home.
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman said:
“Nobody should be put in a position where the lion’s share of their income is being spent on paying rent, leaving them with very little left to pay for food, heating and electricity bills, or to simply enjoy their lives.
“All parties agree that we are in a housing emergency, but we need to start acting like it. The proposals we have published will ensure a robust system of rent controls that will support tenants and end rip off rents.
“Our proposals would give stability to households and families on the frontline of the crisis, and make sure rents are fairer across the board going forward.
“By tying rents to average earnings, we are establishing an important principle that rents should not rise faster than renters’ ability to pay.
“Homes are for living in, not for grotesque profiteering. The Housing Bill was introduced by the Scottish Greens. It gives us the opportunity to transform the broken housing market and protect renters all across our country.”