Emergency legislation endorsed by MSPs.
Tenants will benefit from increased protection against rent increases and evictions during the cost of living crisis under temporary legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament.
The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Bill gives ministers temporary powers to cap rents for private and social tenants, as well as student accommodation. The bill also introduces a moratorium on evictions.
This cap, which applies to rental rent increases, was initially set at 0% from September 6, 2022 to at least March 31, 2023. Ministers have the power to change the rent ceiling while it is in effect. The measures can be extended over two further periods of six months.
Enforcement of eviction actions resulting from the cost crisis are barred for the same period, except in a number of specified circumstances, and damages for unlawful evictions have been increased to a maximum of 36 months’ rent .
The temporary legislation balances necessary protections for renters with some safeguards for landlords who may also be affected by the cost crisis.
Tenant Rights Minister Patrick Harvie said:
“I am pleased that Parliament has passed this bill to help tenants get through the current cost of living crisis. People who rent their homes are more likely to live in poverty or have low incomes than other people, and many will be concerned about maintaining their home payments as their day-to-day expenses increase.
“With this bill, which will now become law, tenants in the social or private rental sector, or in student residences, will have stability in their housing and their housing costs.
“I am extremely grateful to MSPs for reviewing and approving this legislation this week, ensuring that these protections can be put in place with the urgency this crisis demands.”
Background
The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Bill (Scotland) offers an agenda for government engagement.
Further information on the bill is available on the Scottish Government website.
A digital marketing campaign to raise awareness of the new legislation and what it means for tenants and landlords will be launched shortly.
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