Home   News   National   Article

Don’t cave from landlord pressure and create two-tier rent controls, FM urged


By PA News



The First Minister has been told his proposals to “water down” rent controls in Scotland will create a “disastrous” two-tier system for tenants.

In a letter to John Swinney, the new Housing Secretary and the Social Justice Secretary, Living Rent warned the Scottish Government against “buckling under the immense lobbying power of landlords and property investors”.

The tenants’ union called for “bold, urgent action” to protect Scots from spiralling rents.

Data from the Scottish Government in November revealed that between 2010 and 2024, rents increased on average by 61.3% for two-bedroom properties.

The Scottish Government called a housing emergency last year, while more than a dozen councils have also done so. And last month, Mr Swinney created the post of Housing Secretary, which has been filled by Mairi McAllan.

Amid plans for rent controls, ministers are consulting on changes that would see build to rent, mid-market properties and properties that have been renovated made exempt from rent controls.

In the letter, Living Rent warns the changes would not only be “disastrous for tenants living in these tenures but they would create a two-tier system which could undermine rent controls overall”.

It says: “We write to you with a clear and urgent message: the situation for renters in Scotland has reached a crisis point.

“Scotland is in the middle of a housing emergency, as recognised by the Government, with working-class people bearing the brunt.

“At the same time, Scotland’s landlords and their lobbyists are working hard to water down rent controls and make them functionally useless.

“We need to see bold, urgent action from your Government now.”

Scotland’s biggest unions, including Unison and GMB, have signed the letter (Jane Barlow/PA)
Scotland’s biggest unions, including Unison and GMB, have signed the letter (Jane Barlow/PA)

The letter has been singed by the Scottish Trades Union Congress, Unison Scotland, Unite Scotland, GMB, RMT Scotland, UCU Scotland, and PCS.

Living Rent said the proposals would see landlords allowed to raise rents above inflation, which it describes as “nothing but greed”.

“In a just and fair Scotland, housing should be for the good of the people, not an asset to be exploited by landlords,” the union said.

The First Minister was told that if he fails to deliver on rent controls as promised, “the electorate will not forgive you”.

The letter said: “You must ask – in whose interest does your government want to be seen to serve?

We urge you to act now, ensure there are no exemptions to rent controls and fulfil your promise to introduce robust rent controls before the end of this Parliament
Living Rent

It finishes: “Scotland’s tenants deserve better than to be left at the mercy of a housing market driven by greed and inequality.

“We urge you to act now, ensure there are no exemptions to rent controls and fulfil your promise to introduce robust rent controls before the end of this Parliament.”

The Scottish Government called a housing emergency last year (Andrew Matthews/PA)
The Scottish Government called a housing emergency last year (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Ruth Gilbert, Living Rent’s national campaign’s officer, said: “Landlords have been getting away with hiking up rent for too long.

“Current regulation is simply not strong enough, with landlords exploiting every loophole to increase rent.

“Exemptions will give landlords even more of a licence to line their pockets whilst tenants suffer.

If done properly, rent controls will be completely transformational for Scottish tenants.

“The new housing minister has an opportunity to show what she stands for by introducing strong, effective rent controls that bring rents down, increase quality and ensure that everyone in Scotland has a safe, secure, affordable place to call home.”

In response, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scotland already has some of the strongest tenants’ rights in the UK and we are now taking forward rent control protections in the Housing Bill.

“The Scottish Government has an open consultation on these measures as part of our ongoing engagement with those who will be impacted.

“The responses will help to strike the right balance between protecting tenants and the rights of landlords, while continuing to support investment in rented homes – essential to combat the housing emergency.”

Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, said: “Rent controls are not the answer when looking to stand up for renters.

“While the intention behind rent controls is often to make housing more affordable, we have seen the unintended consequences of rent controls.

“In the few months after being introduced in Scotland, rent inflation increased by more than any other UK nation, reaching 10.8% in August 2023.

“Time and time again, rent controls have failed to reduce rent costs within the UK and across the world.

“This happens because rent controls can disincentivise property investment and maintenance, reducing the overall supply of rental housing and driving up prices in between tenancies and in areas not subject to the controls.

“Increasing the supply of properties, rather than capping rents, will ensure rent levels fall and landlords stay in the market.

“A greater focus on speeding up planning within councils and increasing overall house building is the crucial way that will help make renting more affordable in the longer term.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.


This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More