Long term rent controls proposed

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.”

Background

The Housing Bill was published on 27 March 2024.

Renters in Scotland have the strongest rights in the UK.

The temporary rent cap and eviction moratorium protections brought in by the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Act 2022 will no longer apply from 1 April 2024. This final date is built into the legislation and cannot be extended further. The protection applies to all applicable Rent Increase Notices issued on or before 31 March 2024. The extra eviction protections will also come to an end at this point.

From 1 April, if a tenant is concerned about the level of a proposed rent increase, they can raise it with their landlord or agent and apply to a rent officer at Rent Service Scotland, or to the First-tier Tribunal if applicable, for a rent adjudication. 

An illustrative rent increase calculator is available to help landlords and tenants understand what rent may be set at if a rent adjudication application is made.