For immediate release:

PROTECTION FOR TENANTS EXTENDED

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey has welcomed news that Scotland’s rent cap scheme will continue with the private rented sector only able to increase within-tenancy rent by 3 percent.

This will follow the Scottish Government’s temporary rent freeze which change to the cap on 31 March.

The new scheme will ensure private rents can only rise by 3% or landlords can apply to increase private rents by up to 6% to help cover certain increases in costs in defined and limited circumstances.

Enforcement of evictions will continue to be prevented for all tenants except in a number of specified circumstances.

The social sector rent freeze is being replaced with agreements from housing associations and councils to keep any rent increase for 2023-24 well below inflation.

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey has applauded the move.

Commenting, Ms Haughey said:

“The Scottish Government’s rent freeze and the halting of evictions has helped protect tenants in the cost of living crisis. With many Rutherglen and Cambuslang households still struggling with bills, it is clear that protections remain needed to give tenants greater confidence about their housing costs and the security of a stable home.

“While the Scottish Government doesn’t have the power to prevent people’s energy bills from soaring, it has taken this unprecedented action to support tenants, particularly those in the private rented sector, who we know are among the hardest by the cost of living crisis.”

ENDS