Scottish housing bill could create new rent control areas
The Scottish government have announced plans to introduce longer-term rent controls for the private sector.
Local authorities in Scotland have been declaring a housing emergency – much like councils in England – which has prompted the Scottish government to introduce the Housing Bill. It will place a duty on local councils to undertake assessments on the state of private accommodation in their area.
However, despite the announcement being welcomed by tenants’ right groups, the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) have expressed concerns.
Speaking to the BBC, the SAL claimed the Bill fails to detail particular restrictions that could be placed on landlords, though it does say that rises would be capped during and in-between tenancies.
If the Bill is brought into law, it will also allow for tenants to keep pets and decorate their properties.
Patrick Harvie, Tenants’ Rights Minister, said: ‘Tenants benefit from improved conditions and security, while good responsible landlords will thrive when their good practice is recognised by regulation.
‘Scotland has led the way across the UK in improving the experience of people who rent their homes and this reform has been at the same time as significant growth in the size of the private rented sector.
‘Progressive reform can lead to better conditions and a healthy rented sector overall. I want to keep working with both tenants and landlords to achieve that goal.’
New figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) have shown that this Bill couldn’t have come at a better time.
The data has revealed that Scotland has experienced the highest rent increases of any UK nation. The data showed that average private rents increased in by 10.9% in Scotland, 8.8% in England and 9% in Wales.
Image: George Hiles
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