Lanarkshire MSP Gillian Mackay is urging the Scottish Government to support tenants by maintaining protections on rent rises that are set to expire in March.
In 2022 the then Green Minister, Patrick Harvie, introduced a temporary cap on most in-tenancy rent increases. Since the end of the cap in March last year, a temporary rent adjudication system has been in place, also introduced by Patrick Harvie, that has kept rents down for some tenants.
At the time, the Scottish Government said that the system was to support a transition away from the rent cap to a system of permanent rent controls and to protect tenants from excessively large rent hikes.
However, the Scottish Government has said that these temporary restrictions will not be renewed at the end of next month.
The cost of renting a two-bedroom home in North Lanarkshire has risen by 48 per cent since 2010 to an average of £672.
Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay, said: “Rents across North Lanarkshire have skyrocketed. Renters have paid the price, while private landlords have lined their pockets.
“And whilst there is legislation on the way to introduce permanent rent controls at last, these won’t come into force until 2027.
“Right now, renters are protected by temporary controls that were introduced by the Scottish Greens.
“But these protections are set to expire in a matter of weeks, exposing households across North Lanarkshire to extortionate rent increases.
“Removing these protections without replacing them would create a cliff edge that risks throwing households and families in North Lanarkshire into financial despair.
“If the Scottish Government is serious about supporting renters then the least they can do is extend these modest measures to help support renters through the ongoing cost of living crisis.”
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