Scottish Government must deliver immediate rent controls
The Scottish Government’s plan for tackling the housing emergency fails to include real protections against rogue landlords for renters across the country, say the Scottish Greens.
Missing from a statement given today by the Cabinet Secretary for Housing were plans for immediate rent controls which would offer financial protection for renters between now and the Housing Bill’s promised rent controls coming into effect in 2027. She also offered no protections against evictions; despite many people dreading the coming months of autumn and winter.
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman lodged amendments to the Housing Bill earlier this year that would offer these vital protections, and could be enacted immediately.
Today, Scottish Greens MSP Ariane Burgess asked the Minister in the chamber:
“Renters across Scotland are being hit by outrageous rent demands. The Cabinet Secretary has clearly been listening to the landlord lobby, with some of the rent control exemptions she’s announced today.
“Given the massive hikes renters are facing, will she also acknowledge the plight of tenants and support the Green amendment to reinstate temporary controls until the Housing Bill comes into effect?"
Speaking after the statement, Maggie Chapman said:
“A lot of renters cannot afford to wait until the Housing Bill brings rent controls into effect.
“The Cabinet Secretary has clearly been listening to the landlord lobby. The government agreed that renters needed protection from exploitative landlords when they agreed to bring in emergency rent controls. Those protections are still needed against the rent hikes and evictions that are happening today.
“With winter approaching, it is vital that people and families are not forced to choose between heating and eating, or paying even more for their rent than they can afford. This could lead to evictions and increased homelessness, caused by the landlord lobby’s greed.
“I urge the Scottish Government to take action now to provide reassurance that renters will be supported and protected between now and the Housing Bill taking effect.”