Housing Bill: Greens slam block on cheaper rents
The Scottish Government must go further to protect renters from unaffordable rent hikes, warn the Scottish Greens.
Amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill proposed by the Scottish Greens would mean that rent would increase no more than the cost-of-living or increases in wages. For those areas where rents are already too high, Councils could put in place lower increases, freezes or rent reductions.
Last night, the Scottish Government and opposition parties refused to back those plans at Stage 2. They also blocked proposals that would give the Government powers to introduce an emergency national rent cap if required.
Independent analysis from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre shows that, had they applied between 2019 and 2024, Green plans to cap rent increases at the lowest of wage and cost of living increases would have saved renters across Scotland an average of £94 a month, and up to £273 in Lothian.
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman intends to continue pushing for stronger rent controls and better renters' rights through the Housing Bill and will force another vote on lower rents at Stage 3 in June.
Ms Chapman said:
“Proper rent controls are a crucial part of tackling the housing emergency - saving renters money and making sure rents are fairer across the board going forward.
“Our proposals would do just that - improving rent control measures so that rents won’t outpace wages, allowing the Government to introduce an emergency rent cap if needed, and ensuring that there are proper sanctions on landlords who continue to flout the rules.
“With opposition parties and the Government refusing to back these proposals yesterday, it’s clearer than ever that the Scottish Greens are the only party committed to standing up for renters, in a sector dominated by the landlord lobby.
“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.
“I’ll be bringing these important proposals back at Stage 3 of the Housing Bill. So the Government and opposition parties will have an important choice to make - end rip-off rents for good, or continue with business as usual, and let renters continue to pay the price.
“All parties agree that we are in a housing emergency - but frankly, we all need to start acting like it.”