Housing Bill measure to help tenants stay in their homes.
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 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.
