Following Humza Yousaf stepping down, Propertymark is calling on the incoming First Minister of Scotland to reconsider the approach to rent controls.
A policy set forth by previous First Minister Nicola Sturgeon limited annual rent increases to 3% from September 2022 through April 2024.
The in-progress Housing (Scotland) Bill aims to enshrine a permanent cap on rent hikes both during and in between rental agreements.
Propertymark’s Timothy Douglas comments, “With Humza Yousaf’s departure, there’s an opportunity for new leadership to reassess rent control strategies, stimulate investment, and establish a clear strategy for the property sector’s carbon footprint reduction, along with tangible incentives and attainable goals.”
In contrast to the intended caps, rental costs in Scotland actually climbed by 10.5% in the year ending March 2024, possibly due to landlords raising rents on new leases in preparation for future restrictions.
Living Rent, a tenants’ union, worries that Yousaf’s resignation might jeopardize the permanence of rent control policies, an issue pending the appointment of a new First Minister.
Speaking with the Big Issue, a representative from Living Rent insists: “Despite the end of the Bute House Agreement, rent controls must persist. Rent controls are crucial for solving Scotland’s housing crisis.
“The SNP must fulfil its promises to renters by upholding rent control policies, which are essential for them.
“Rent controls are eagerly awaited by tenants throughout Scotland. Our leaders need to ensure the enacted rent controls serve to lower rents, enhance property quality, and connect to the properties rather than the specific tenancies, along with providing stronger protection against evictions.”
Yousaf’s resignation came unexpectedly after disbanding the SNP’s coalition with the Scottish Greens, reducing them to a minority government.
The split followed the controversy of Scotland reneging on its commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 75% by 2030.
