05-05-2025
Tenants could have saved £1000 under Scottish Green rent control plans
The party published plans to end 'rip-off rents' through amendments to the upcoming Housing (Scotland) Bill.
This would mean rents would increase no more than the cost-of-living or increases in wages. In areas where rents are already too high, local councils would be able to put in place lower increases, freezes or rent reductions.
The proposals would end winter evictions, allowing tenants to withhold rent for poor quality properties, and to force absentee landlords to sell derelict properties for housing.
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The Scottish Government's plan would see increases capped by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of inflation plus 1%, up to a maximum of 6%.
The Greens proposals would instead cap rent by the CPI, earnings growth or 6%, whichever is lowest.
It comes as the Scottish Parliament Information Centre found that tenants in a two-bedroom flat would have saved at least £1000 per year if the model proposed by the party had been in place from 2019.
The independent analysis also found someone renting a two-bedroom property in Lothian, one of the areas with the highest rents, would now be at least £272 a month better off.
The amendments are set to be scrutinised on Tuesday by Holyrood's Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee.
(Image: PA) Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman said: 'Nobody should be put in a position where the lion's share of their income is being spent on paying rent, leaving them with very little left to pay for food, heating and electricity bills, or to simply enjoy their lives.
'All parties agree that we are in a housing emergency, but we need to start acting like it. The proposals we have published will ensure a robust system of rent controls that will support tenants and end rip off rents.
'Our proposals would give stability to households and families on the frontline of the crisis, and make sure rents are fairer across the board going forward.
'By tying rents to average earnings, we are establishing an important principle that rents should not rise faster than renters' ability to pay.
'Homes are for living in, not for grotesque profiteering.
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"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.'
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'Scotland already has some of the strongest rights in the UK for tenants, and we are taking forward measures in the Housing Bill to support the introduction of longer-term rent control where this is needed.
'Supporting tenants is a priority for the Scottish Government.
'From 1 April 2025, protections continue to be in place against rent increases above market rent for most private tenants and we would encourage tenants to make use of their right to a review of a rent increase where necessary.'
