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Bill introduced to limit rent increases

Bill introduced in Scottish Parliament to limit rent increases in the private rented sector

Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill also includes provisions to allow tenants to apply for a 'fair open market rent’ determination

The Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill, introduced in the Scottish Parliament this week, includes provisions to limit rent increases in the private rented sector and for tenants to seek a fair rent determination.

The primary purpose of the Bill - as described in the policy memorandum published alongside it - is to -

‘… improve the way rents are set in Scotland in the private rented sector, to bring fairness into the private rented sector, to reduce poverty and support low income tenants and their families. It will regulate rents to protect tenants in Scotland and help create a better balance of power between the landlord and tenant in Scotland.’

In addition, the memorandum advises that the Bill adds to the law about private rented housing in the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, by making provision for -

• capping annual private sector rent increases across Scotland at one per cent above inflation as measured by the consumer prices index;
• allowing tenants to apply to the rent officer to have a ‘fair open market rent’ set for their rented property;
• requiring landlords to include details of the rent they charge in the public Scottish Landlord Register; and
• requiring the Scottish Government to publish a statement within three years that must show how the Bill has affected rent levels in Scotland and how affordable private rented housing is.

For further information, see Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill