Scotland's largest trade unions back calls for rent controls
Tenants group Living Rent has written an open letter to the Scottish Government, supported by the Scottish Trades Union Congress, Unite Scotland, GMB, RMT Scotland, UCU Scotland, and PCS urging it to resist any calls for exemptions.
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Addressed to First Minister John Swinney, cabinet secretary Màiri McAllan and cabinet secretary Shirley Anne Somerville it reads: "We, the undersigned, represent a coalition of trade unions, charities, and community groups who stand in solidarity with Scotland's tenants.
"We write to you with a clear and urgent message: the situation for renters in Scotland has reached a crisis point. Scotland is in the middle of a housing emergency, as recognised by the Government, with working-class people bearing the brunt. At the same time, Scotland's landlords and their lobbyists are working hard to water down rent controls and make them functionally useless. We need to see bold, urgent action from your Government now.Across Scotland, rents are through the roof and the situation is worsening by the day.
"With each rent rise tenants' quality of life decreases and your Government moves further away from its target of eradicating child poverty. The Scottish Government made a promise to introduce long-term rent controls to tackle this problem, but it is now buckling under the immense lobbying power of landlords and property investors.
"A new consultation is underway which could lead to large numbers of properties being exempted from rent controls. Not only would these exemptions be disastrous for tenants living in these tenures, but they would create a two-tier system which could undermine rent controls overall.
"Scotland's tenants deserve better than to be left at the mercy of a housing market driven by greed and inequality. We urge you to act now, ensure there are no exemptions to rent controls and fulfil your promise to introduce robust rent controls before the end of this Parliament."
The letter is signed by Aditi Jehangir, chair, Living Rent; Roz Foyer, general secretary, STUC; Gordon Martin, Scotland organiser RMT Scotland; Liz McGachey & John Jamieson, co-convenors of the Scottish Executive Committee, PCS Scotland; Unite Scotland; GMB Scotland, and University and College Union (UCU) Scotland. It can be read in full here.
Over 2024, new rents across Scotland increased by 6.2% to an average of £893 per month, up £52 per month compared with the previous year.
Data from the Scottish Government published in November revealed that between 2010 and 2024, rents across Scotland have increased on average by 61.3% for two bedroom properties.
Living Rent's national campaigns officer, Ruth Gilbert said: 'Introducing exemptions to rent controls will be a disaster for tenants. Exemptions will not only leave thousands of tenants without protections, but they will create a two tier system of tenants whilst undermining rent controls for everyone.
"Landlords have been getting away with hiking up rent for too long. Current regulation is simply not strong enough, with landlords exploiting every loophole to increase rent. Exemptions will give landlords even more of a licence to line their pockets whilst tenants suffer.
"If done properly, rent controls will be completely transformational for Scottish tenants. The new housing minister has an opportunity to show what she stands for by introducing strong, effective rent controls that bring rents down,increase quality and ensure that everyone in Scotland has a safe, secure, affordable place to call home.'
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