Fact sheet: The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022

Minister for Housing, Paul McLennan, MSP, has outlined proposals to introduce a rent cap linked to the Consumer Price Index as part of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. Propertymark has campaigned robustly against the introduction of rent controls since the Scottish Government first enacted them as part of emergency measures under the Cost of Living Act, including launching a legal challenge against that legislation. We are continuing our engagement with policy makers to assert that alternative policy must be developed to improve affordability in the private rented sector (PRS).

Includes recommendations on how those dependent on welfare support can have better access to the Private Rented Sector (PRS), and how letting agents and landlords can be supported to improve access to the PRS for other vulnerable groups.

Our Policy and Campaigns team was invited to feed into an independent working group on anti-social behaviour (ASB) commissioned by the Scottish Minister for Victims and Community Safety. Insight from members highlighted key areas where the Scottish Government can improve its approach to preventing and tackling ASB in the private rented sector (PRS), and what support is needed by agents.

An in-depth examination of nearly 200 studies has evaluated the consequences of rent controls and underlined the negative impacts, echoing Propertymark's evidence to the UK and devolved Governments. The focus of policymakers must be on other actions to make the private rented sector (PRS) more affordable, ensuring an adequate housing supply that meets increasing demand, and tackling existing inequalities of income and wealth.