Tag: rent controls

Long term rent controls proposed

Housing Bill measure to help tenants stay in their homes

Long term rent controls would help keep homes affordable for tenants in future, under new legislation to create a fairer, better regulated rented sector.

The Housing (Scotland) Bill, introduced to Parliament last week, sets out how close working with councils will ensure rent controls are tailored to the local needs of tenants and landlords in different parts of the country. 

Publication of the Bill, which will be scrutinised and voted on by MSPs, comes as temporary changes to the way rents are decided, through adjudication, come into force. From 1 April, these changes will ensure people are protected from very steep rent rises, following the end of the rent cap. Proposed rent increases after this date will still need to give three months’ notice.

Tenants’ Rights Minister Patrick Harvie said: “Scotland has led the way within the UK in supporting and strengthening the rights of people who rent their homes.

“The Housing Bill sets out our next steps on the path towards a fairer, well-regulated private rented sector, which is good for both tenants and landlords and encourages investment. 

“While the Parliament prepares to consider this legislation, we are also taking steps to support tenants with the pressures they are facing here and now.

“Our temporary changes to the ways that rents are decided will come into place from April 1 – to protect people who may be facing very steep increases as the temporary rent cap comes to the end of its final extension period.”

Lorna Slater: Soaring rents in Lothian show need for controls

Soaring rents across Lothian demonstrate the need for a system of rent controls to be introduced, according to Scottish Greens Lothian MSP, Lorna Slater. 

New government statistics published this week show that between 2010 and 2021 the average rent for a 2 bedroom property in Lothian increased by 41.7%. This is the biggest increase anywhere in Scotland. 

The cooperation agreement between the Scottish Greens and the Scottish Government includes a commitment to introduce a new national system of rent controls. This will be part of a package of enhanced rights for tenants. 

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Commenting, Lorna Slater MSP said: “Over the past decade, far too many tenants in Lothian and across the country have faced extreme rent rises.

“We simply cannot leave something as fundamental as people’s homes to market forces. I’m proud that with Greens in Government we will bring rent controls to Scotland as part of a fair deal for renters.” 

Lorna Slater MSP: Green agenda will benefit Edinburgh

Lothian MSP and Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater has hailed the party’s influence on the Scottish Government programme for the year ahead.

The First Minister laid out an agenda heavily influenced by the Scottish Greens, in her first programme for government. This follows the historic cooperation agreement between the two parties.

The transformational programme will see the Greens in government for the first time; benefiting communities across Edinburgh by laying the foundations for a just transition to a low carbon economy, securing a new deal for tenants, increasing funding for home energy schemes and tackling fuel poverty.

Lothian MSP and Scottish Greens co-leader, Lorna Slater, said: “This is a historic programme for government that will deliver huge benefits for communities in Edinburgh.”

“The investment announced today will allow us to begin the work of improving the energy efficiency of public buildings, an important measure as we bid to tackle the climate emergency, end fuel poverty and reduce energy bills.

“This bold and ambitious programme for government paves the way for a just transition for workers by creating jobs too, as we move to a renewables powered future.

“I’m particularly proud of our new deal for tenants. This programme commits us to delivering a new strategy within the next year which will ensure stronger rights and include a system of rent controls to tackle the spiralling costs for those renting a home in Edinburgh.”