Tenants across Scotland are facing the imminent threat of skyrocketing rents as protections that have been in place for two years are set to expire.
Critics, including tenant unions and politicians, are urging the Scottish Government to act swiftly to extend these safeguards, warning of a significant rise in housing costs from April 1, 2024.
The Scottish Government’s decision to allow the end of the 3% rent cap in March 2024 has prompted growing concerns about the impact on tenants. Without intervention, the new system could allow rents to soar, especially as rent adjudications will now rely solely on open market rents.
According to Living Rent, the tenants’ union, without additional protections, some rents could double, pushing more people into poverty.
Rent Protections End, Rents Set to Soar
Since the rent cap was introduced in 2022, tenants in Scotland have benefited from a period of stability. Under the previous scheme, landlords could only raise rents by up to 3%, a measure that was initially put in place to protect renters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, with the cap now lifted, a new set of rules allows landlords to propose rent increases of up to 12%, which tenants can challenge via Rent Services Scotland (RSS).
The end of the rent cap has sparked a wave of concern from housing experts, with Living Rent warning that the potential for unchecked rent increases could exacerbate existing housing crises. According to data from RSS, landlords have already proposed rent hikes of nearly 20% in some cases.
“Tenants are going to be hit by a wave of rent increases as landlords cash in after two years of emergency protections,” said Ruth Gilbert, chair of Living Rent’s national campaign.
“It is completely irresponsible to end the measures that have protected tenants from sky-high rent increases when rents are already pushing people into poverty.”
The union’s concerns are backed by alarming statistics: 60% of private tenants surveyed in 2024 reported a rent increase, with many unable to challenge these increases.
With rent protections likely to be lifted entirely, critics argue that Scotland’s housing affordability crisis will worsen dramatically, pushing thousands of people into homelessness or forcing them to leave their homes.
Calls for Immediate Action from Politicians and Housing Experts
The Scottish Greens and other political leaders have also called on the Scottish Government to take urgent action. Maggie Chapman, an MSP for the Scottish Greens, criticised the government for not taking a stronger stance on rent regulation.
“Unless the Scottish Government acts now, households and families will be plunged into totally avoidable poverty,” Chapman said.
According to Aoife Deery, senior social justice policy officer at Citizens Advice Scotland, there is significant concern that the end of rent protections could result in more people facing unaffordable rent and, consequently, homelessness.
She warned that in the context of Scotland’s ongoing housing crisis, this could create further strain on an already overstretched system.
In response to the outcry, Housing Minister Paul McLennan has reassured tenants that some protections will still remain in place, but critics are uncertain whether these measures will provide sufficient relief.
