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TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

Rent control proposed in Scotland

Labour has once again called for rents to be capped in Scotland after fresh data revealed rent increases were outstripping wage rises over the past five years.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has made no secret of his desire to control rents and limit the power of private landlords north of the border, despite concerns that it could have a negative impact on tenants.

In his keynote speech to Scottish Labour’s spring conference in March, he detailed his vision to reshape the rental sector in Scotland, including the introduction of a new “Mary Barbour law” to protect tenants.

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The proposed ‘Mary Barbour law’ is named after the Red Clydeside political activist who played a leading role in the rent strikes of 1915.

Leonard outlined how his party aims to introduce a private members bill that would create a new points-based system to enforce what he considers to be fair rents. A public consultation on the measure was launched last month.

Leonard’s desire to see a rent-cap introduced is supported by Jeremy Corbyn.

Labour’s housing spokesperson Pauline McNeill MSP said: “Scotland’s housing crisis is seeing private sector rents rising faster than people’s wages, making housing even more expensive and pushing people further into poverty.

“Too many young families are caught in a vicious cycle – a lack of affordable public housing forces people to rent privately and as a result they are paying rip-off rents, which stops them saving for a deposit to buy their own home.

“Our Mary Barbour law, which I am bringing forward as a Member’s Bill, would stop this happening and give people hope that they can have secure, affordable tenancies. Only Scottish Labour has a plan for real change in the housing sector which will help the many, not the few.”

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    What a load of Tosh. Private landlords do not have to own properties for rent in Scotland, we can buy rental properties in England and ignore the Scottish market altogether. How would that fit into Labours plans?
    Some politicians are just vote hunting mind less of the affect it would have on a very necessary market. Tenants beware, this policy could be disastrous for you.

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    • 18 April 2018 12:14 PM

    How about to Cap the Very Expensive Council Tax in Scotland?

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    • 18 April 2018 15:03 PM

    As long as we landlords can bill the council for our property maintenance costs...

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    Things are a lot different than when Mary Barbour was alive. If she were a Glasgow councillor now she'd probably have a portfolio of her own to keep her until she got a safe seat in Holyrood beside Leonard and his out of date cronies.

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    • 19 April 2018 09:05 AM

    Cut the Very Expensive Council Tax in Scotland and relieve some of the heavy tax, let's start from the head - the government in Scotland. Do NOT always take the people as victims who pay tax for government's salary.
    We once went to council tax office in Edinburgh to inform them the tenant did not pay council tax and if they need more details of the tenant to help to have the bills paid, the officer who was there to control the queue replied, "it is none of your business!" It is this carelessness and rudeness made the council tax charge so expensive today - The ones who pay also pay for others' debt. Conservative should take full control in Scotland, we give them too much of the space to manipulate and they will become a traitor soon.

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