The Scottish Greens have made a cross-party call for an immediate implementation of rent controls to prevent what it calls ‘brutal’ rent hikes across the country.
Its MSP Maggie Chapman (main image) is to introduce an amendment to the Scottish Housing Bill currently making its way through parliament which if adopted would see a temporary cap on rent increases.
This was first introduced in 2022 when the Scottish Greens governed Scotland via a coalition with the SNP but this was later altered to a rent adjudication system that allowed rent increases to a maximum of 12%, a system that was ended in April 2025 by the SNP.
The Green Party and campaign group Living Rent say some landlords have subsequently been raising rents by between 30% and 88% which, the two groups say, justifies an immediate re-introduction of a rent cap rather than waiting for the Housing Bill to go live.
“We warned the Scottish Government that removing protections would result in renters being punished and exploited by rogue landlords, and that is what has happened,” says Chapman.
“The Housing Bill will provide some badly needed protections and rent controls when it comes into force, but there are a lot of people who can’t afford to wait.
“We will be introducing amendments to restore protections immediately and halt the astronomical hikes that are being forced on people and families all over Scotland.”
The amendment to the Housing Bill is not the only one Chapman has been busy on. Others include changes to the looming new Rent Control Areas and also setting minimum property standards that landlords must attain before increasing rents. She also wants to stop landlords who have raised the rent during the previous 12 months for previous tenants being prevented from them raising the rent when listing that property to rent to new tenants.
“Imposing rent controls will further discourage investment and cause more landlords in Scotland to consider leaving the sector or downsizing their portfolios, resulting in fewer properties being available and driving up rents," says Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) chief executive, John Blackwood.
“While some politicians are obsessed with conspiracies about powerful lobby groups, we at SAL are working hard with our fellow stakeholders to ensure that Scotland has a private rented sector that works for everyone.
“Rather than scapegoating and stereotyping landlords, MSPs should work with us to help increase the incentives to invest in Scotland and drive up the availability of homes to rent.”
Tags:
Comments