Scottish parliament approves 3 per cent rent cap

The Scottish Government has capped private rent increases by 3 per cent.

MSPs have also approved measures that will keep restrictions on enforcement of evictions.

The changes to the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Act will mean that from 1 April 2023 if a private landlord chooses to increase a tenant’s rent mid-tenancy, the increase will be capped at 3 per cent and private landlords will alternatively be able to apply for a rent increase of up to 6% to help cover certain increases in costs in defined and limited circumstances. The changes also mean that enforcement of evictions will continue to be paused for up to six months except in a number of specified circumstances and increased damages for unlawful evictions of up to 36 months’ worth of rent will continue to apply.

The measures will be extended to 30 September with the option to extend for another six months if required.

Tenants' Rights Minister Patrick Harvie said: “Our emergency legislation has given tenants across the rented sector additional protection as we continue to live through these challenging and uncertain economic times.

“It is clear that many households in the private rented sector in particular continue to struggle, which is why we are capping in-tenancy rent increases in the private sector at 3% from next month, with safeguards in place recognising the effects the cost of living crisis may have on some landlords. Our restrictions on evictions will continue across all sectors, with the social sector rent cap having been replaced with voluntary agreements from landlords to keep rents affordable.

“We will continue to keep these measures under review, ensuring they remain necessary and proportionate to the challenges at hand.”

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