Rent controls a historic step for fixing rigged housing market
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman has hailed parliament’s historic vote for the Housing Bill, which will introduce a system of rent controls in Scotland for the first time in decades.
The 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.
Maggie said:
“This is a crucial bill that will bring back rent controls after too many years, and finally start to fix a rigged housing market that has worked in the interest of rogue landlords and developers rather than renters.
“There is a lot in this bill to welcome, and it would not have happened without the work of Scottish Green MSPs who introduced it and housing and tenants campaigners who have worked around the clock to make it a reality.
“Rent controls are common around the world, and they have been proven to work. They will help to make rents more affordable, offering safety and stability to support people to settle in their homes.
“Homes are for living in and not for profiteering. Today’s vote is a crucial step to building a system that works for renters and families rather than the greedy developers and rogue landlords who have had their way for far too long.”