2021
On the 5th of March 2021, the Scottish Parliament voted to pass a motion that will cap rent increases at 3% until October 2021. This motion was proposed by the Scottish National Party (SNP) and was backed by the Scottish Greens, Labour and Liberal Democrats. This move marks a significant step in the Scottish Government’s efforts to tackle the housing crisis in Scotland.
The motion was proposed in response to the rising cost of living in Scotland, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The SNP argued that the current system of rent increases was unfair and needed to be addressed. The motion was passed with a majority of 79 votes in favour and 15 against.
The cap on rent increases will apply to all private and social housing tenants in Scotland. This means that landlords will not be able to increase rents by more than 3% until October 2021. The Scottish Government has stated that this measure is intended to provide tenants with some financial security during the pandemic.
The Scottish Government has also announced plans to introduce a new system of rent controls in Scotland. This system will set out maximum rent increases that landlords can charge and will be based on local market conditions. The new system is expected to be introduced in 2022.
The move to cap rent increases has been welcomed by housing charities and tenant groups across Scotland. They have argued that it will provide tenants with some much needed financial security during these difficult times.
The Scottish Government has also announced plans to introduce a new system of rent controls in Scotland. This system will set out maximum rent increases that landlords can charge and will be based on local market conditions. The new system is expected to be introduced in 2022.
The move to cap rent increases is part of a wider effort by the Scottish Government to tackle the housing crisis in Scotland. Other measures include increasing the supply of affordable housing, providing more support for homeless people, and introducing new regulations to protect tenants from eviction.
Overall, the decision by MSPs to cap rent increases at 3% until October 2021 is an important step in tackling the housing crisis in Scotland. It will provide tenants with some much needed financial security during these difficult times and is a positive step towards creating a fairer and more affordable housing system in Scotland.