SNP has two weeks to save vital renter protections
The Scottish Government must act to extend vital renter protections that are set to expire on April 1st, 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.
At the time, the Scottish Government said the rent adjudication system would support the transition away from the rent cap and to the forthcoming system of Rent Control Areas, protecting renters from excessively large increases which could be experienced with a sudden move to open market rent levels.
Ms Chapman said:
“At a time when living costs are soaring, it is vital that we control the ridiculous rent hikes that far too many people are experiencing.
“These protections have played an important role in guarding renters from rogue landlords who have shown they cannot be trusted. If they are lifted it will mean even higher costs that will plunge some people and families into totally avoidable poverty.
“Everyone deserves a stable and affordable roof over their heads - a place to call home. By removing protections we are leaving tenants at the mercy of a broken housing market. Do SNP Ministers really want to do that to their constituents?
“With two weeks to go, I hope that they will reconsider and that they will extend these protections to give peace of mind to renters who are already having their finances stretched from all directions."
Ms Chapman added:
“Homes are for living in and not for profiteering. The forthcoming Housing Bill could be a milestone for renters rights, but we need to ensure that we are protecting people here and now and stopping the kind of hikes that have caused so much misery for so long.”