Labour, Greens and Nationalists rubber-stamp rent freeze

A combination of Labour, the Green Party and the Scottish Nationalists have pushed through a rent freeze proposal.

The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Bill gives ministers temporary power to cap rents for private and social tenants, as well as for student accommodation. 

The Bill also introduces a moratorium on evictions.

The vote in the Scottish Parliament was 89 to 27 - there was widespread expectation that the measure would be passed.

This cap, which applies to in-tenancy rent increases, has initially been set at 0 per cent from until at least March 31 2023. Ministers have the power to vary the rent cap while it is in force. 

The measures can be extended over two further six-month periods.

Evictions are banned over the same period except in a number of specified circumstances, and damages for unlawful evictions have been increased to a maximum of 36 months’ worth of rent.

Tenants’ Rights Minister Patrick Harvie says: “I am pleased that Parliament has passed this Bill to support tenants through the current cost of living crisis. People who rent their home are more likely to live in poverty or be on low incomes than other people, and many will be anxious about keeping up payments on their homes as their everyday expenses rise.

“With this Bill now set to become law, tenants in the social or private rented sector, or in student accommodation, will have stability in their homes and housing costs.

“I’m hugely grateful to MSPs for scrutinising and agreeing this legislation this week, ensuring these protections can be brought in with the urgency that this crisis demands.”

The Tories opposed the measure with MSP Miles Briggs saying: “Scotland is in the grip of a housing crisis but the SNP-Greens’ railroading of rent controls through Parliament this week will do nothing to alleviate that.

“Indeed, as charities have pointed out, it will harm the housing prospects of those who are currently homeless and on the lowest incomes.

“Rent control measures elsewhere have only resulted in properties being taken off the market meaning that the housing dreams of many will now be further away than ever thanks to SNP-Green ministers chasing good headlines.

“Homelessness is rising on their watch and the number of children who are also in temporary accommodation should be a source of shame for this government.”

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