Points-based system of rent controls demanded by activists

A points-based system of rent controls is being advocated by activists associated with a controversial pro-tenant group.

Living Rent, which is calling for the new system of rent controls, is affiliated to Acorn, a group which earlier this month was ordered to pay just under £100,000 in costs and damages to a landlord, to settle a legal case for harassment, defamation and breach of data rights.

Acorn - formally called the Association of Community Organisations for Reform Now - waged what the landlord’s legal defence called “a campaign of harassment” 

It reportedly included filming and confronting the landlord at her home, holding placards bearing defamatory statements, blogging and posting abusive statements on social media, threatening her using a loud hailer, approaching her in public, and holding a ‘public meeting’ about her outside Sheffield town hall.

Neighbours received leaflets calling the landlord “dodgy”.

Yet the dispute between the landlord and her tenant - said to be an Acorn member - was over just £300.

Now Living Rent, which call itself “Scotland's tenants' union, fighting for decent and affordable housing for all”, has made its call for a points-based system of rent controls in a consultation initiated by the Scottish Government on future changes to that country’s private rental sector.

The Edinburgh Live website cites Living Rent spokesperson Gloria Dawson as saying: “The [Scottish] government’s failure to address the need for affordable, quality, energy-efficient homes represents a huge missed opportunity to combat the cost-of-living crisis.”

Living Rent claims rents have increased by around 10 per cent in many areas of Scotland in the past year, while it also claims claims over 50 per cent of private rental properties are in need of significant repair.

The activists’ proposals would link rents to housing conditions and not market forces, allied with penalties for landlords who are deemed not to have undertaken adequate repairs or improved energy efficiency. 

Edinburgh Live quotes Dawson as saying: “Every day, our members bear the brunt of the housing crisis. With rent continuing to skyrocket despite poor quality housing and stagnant wages, it is clear that our housing system is geared towards landlords, leaving many tenants in a dire financial state.

“This is why we’re asking for affordable, quality, secure homes built on a system of rent controls, and a society where tenants have a say and control over their homes.

“We know the landlord lobby is well funded. We’re sure that they will try hard to ensure that their interests are protected and that they will come out in force to say that the rental sector is well regulated and rather, ask for greater protections for landlords.”

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