Scottish Housing Bill amendments to strengthen tenants' rights

The Scottish Government has lodged amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill, setting out how rents will be capped in rent control areas.

The amendments are intended to help protect tenants facing cost-of-living pressures and rising energy prices, while at the same time, providing appropriate protection for the property rights of landlords and supporting investment.

Due to the amendments, rent increases in control areas would be limited to the CPI annual rate of inflation plus 1%, up to a maximum increase of 6 per cent. If the amendments are approved, the rent cap will apply both to rent increases during the term of a tenancy, and in between tenancies, in areas where rent control is applied.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty remains this government’s top priority and having a home can make a direct contribution to achieving this.

“Ensuring families can have secure and affordable homes that meet their needs is part of our approach to tackling the housing emergency. These measures will also help protect tenants against a backdrop of a continuing cost of living crisis and rising energy costs. We are doing what we can with the powers that we have as we know our policies are working to improve the lives of families in Scotland.

“Scotland already has some of the strongest rights in the UK for tenants, but we want to improve the renting experience even more to create an affordable, high-quality and fair rented sector.

“We have been working closely with tenants’ organisations to develop provisions in the Housing Bill to improve renters’ rights, including a system of long-term rent controls that is fair for tenants and encourages investment in the sector.

“Our rented sector is a crucial part of tackling the housing emergency and these measures provide important certainty for tenants.”