A rent freeze in Scotland - which has been condemned by many experts in the private rental sector and by housing associations - has now been criticised by tenant and political activists too.
However, unlike the experts, the activists are critical because they claim a rent freeze does not go far enough.
If approved by Scottish members of parliament this week, the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Bill will give ministers temporary power to cap rents for private and social tenancies, with this cap set at 0% – effectively freezing rents – until at least March 31 2023, and possibly for a year even beyond that.
However the legislation sets out a very small number of exceptions where landlords could apply to a Rent Officer to increase rent to partially cover an increase if mortgage interest rates rise, or insurance or service charges rise in certain circumstances.
The legislation says: “Where evidenced, a Rent Officer may order that a landlord would be able to increase rent by the lower of: 50 per cent of the increase in these prescribed costs in the preceding six months, or, three per cent of the existing rent level. If the Rent Officer’s decision is disputed there would be a route of appeal for landlords and tenants to the First Tier Tribunal.”
Now Living Rent - a Scottish tenant activist group linked with the Acorn campaign in England - has tweeted its anger at even these exceptional circumstances for rent increases.
It says: “The rent freeze legislation still allows for some landlords to increase their rents by 3%. Rent has increased in Scotland by 15% in the cities over the last year. Rent is already unaffordable and any further increases are completely unmanageable.”
The Scottish rent freeze is being accompanied by an eviction ban. Damages for unlawful evictions will be increased to a maximum of 36 months’ worth of rent. These measures will also apply to students in college or university halls of residence or other types of purpose-built accommodation.
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The crisis in Scotland is being caused by SNP policies, why does anyone think further intervention is going to improve anything for anyone?
RIP PRS Scotland :(
Saul Smart: Where did you hear ie Wales thinking of following suit?
Most my properties are ok at the moment, but I have one that’s way to low now and requires rising rent on. But was going to wait until kitchen refurb was carried out.
May have to do that first if the Senedd are considering it too.
Hi Steven.
It wouldn't surprise me knowing what Drakeford is like.
He seems to follow anything that 'Wee Jimmy Crankie' does in Scotland.
Socialists hate property owners, especially landlords in the PRS.
It will only get worse if Starmer gets in and that is looking extremely likely.
Lets go the whole hog
When they begin a tenancy for a 1 bed flat give them the deeds to your entire property portfolio , a million pounds and your first born
Tbh that still wouldn't be enough for this lot
It’s a deep hatred for anyone that’s bettered their position in life. It shows how inadequate they have been and they need a lie to support their excuses
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