Forres Green MSP calls on Scottish Government to continue cap on rent increases

A politician from Forres is calling for the Scottish Government to continue supporting tenants via protections that are set to expire.

Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands, Ariane Burgess, wants a temporary cap on in-tenancy rent increases that has been in place in Scotland since last March to be retained.

She said: “Rents have skyrocketed and renters have paid the price while private landlords have lined their pockets.

“Whilst there is legislation on the way to introduce permanent rent controls at last, these won’t come into force until 2027.”

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 2024, another temporary rent adjudication system has been in place - also introduced by Mr Harvie - that has kept rents down for some tenants.

At the time, the Scottish Government said that the system was to support the transition away from the rent cap to permanent rent controls and to protection from excessively large rent hikes.

These restrictions will not be renewed at the end of next month.

“These protections are set to expire in a matter of weeks,” said Ms Burgess, “exposing households to extortionate rent increases.

“Removing these protections without replacing them would create a cliff edge that risks throwing households and families 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.”