SNP has one week to stop rent hikes across Scotland
The Scottish Government must urgently act to maintain vital renter protections that are set to expire this time next week, says Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman.
In March 2024 the then Green Minister, Patrick Harvie, introduced a temporary rent adjudication system which followed a freeze on most in-tenancy rents. This potentially allows rent increases to be limited to no higher than 12% if a tenant applies to a rent officer for a decision.
The Scottish Government had said the rent adjudication system would support the transition away from the rent cap and to the forthcoming system of Rent Control Areas, avoiding a ‘cliff edge’ for renters. It would also protect them from excessively large increases which could be experienced with a sudden move to open market rent levels.
Ms Chapman said:
“With living costs soaring, a lot of renters will be watching their bills stacking up and worrying about the future. Meanwhile, there will be rogue landlords all over Scotland eagerly waiting to cash-in from the minute that these protections are lifted.
“Time and again the landlord lobby has shown that it can’t be trusted to look out for the best interest of renters, and I don’t want to see the communities I represent left at the mercy of a broken housing market.
“Unless the Scottish Government acts now, households and families will be plunged into totally avoidable poverty. Do they really want to do that on top of all the cuts that Labour is implementing from Westminster?"
Ms Chapman added:
“The forthcoming Housing Bill could play an important role in transforming renters rights, but we need to ensure that we are protecting people here and now.
“Homes are for living in and not for profiteering. It is time to redress the balance and ensure that everyone has a warm, comfortable and affordable place to call home.”