A Green Party politician has accused landlords of “counting the days” until they can operate without restrictions.
Maggie Chapman, a Green Party member of the Scottish Parliament, claims that her party is the only one advocating for the return of strict rent controls. She argues that without intervention, many landlords will take advantage of loosened regulations, putting tenants at risk of sudden and unaffordable rent increases.
In 2022, while the Green Party was part of the Scottish Government, they introduced a temporary cap on most rent increases for existing tenancies. This measure was intended to protect tenants from soaring costs during a period of economic uncertainty. However, with the cap no longer in place, Chapman warns that stronger protections are needed to prevent landlords from unfairly raising rents.
In March 2024, the temporary rent cap was replaced with an adjudication system designed to regulate rent increases. However, this system is set to expire on April 1, leaving uncertainty about what controls, if any, will be in place moving forward.
With the Scottish Greens no longer in government, the party is calling for new rent controls to be introduced to protect tenants from potential exploitation. They argue that without further intervention, many landlords could impose steep rent hikes, worsening the affordability crisis.
Maggie Chapman has voiced strong concerns, stating: “Unless the SNP acts, rogue landlords will be counting down the days until April 1st. The housing market is broken. We need more and better regulations if we are to tackle the rising cost of housing, not fewer.”
Maggie Chapman has voiced strong concerns about the current state of Scotland’s rental market, warning that landlords hold too much power over tenants. According to Chapman, many renters are already struggling to afford their housing costs, with rent taking up a significant portion of their income. She believes that without stronger regulations, the situation will only worsen, leaving renters even more vulnerable.
She points out that, in many cases, tenants are forced to spend more than half of their earnings on rent alone. This financial strain makes it increasingly difficult for people to afford other essential expenses such as food, energy bills, and transport. As a result, many renters find themselves living in a state of constant financial stress, unable to save for the future or improve their quality of life.
Chapman argues that the current rental market is fundamentally unfair, as it leaves tenants in insecure housing situations where they have little to no control over rent increases or tenancy conditions. She insists that more robust regulations are necessary to prevent landlords from exploiting renters and to ensure that housing remains both accessible and affordable.
She also highlights the role of the Scottish Greens in pushing for meaningful change, stating that they are the only party committed to introducing rent controls that will genuinely reduce housing costs. According to Chapman, the party is dedicated to making sure that renting remains an affordable and stable option for people across Scotland.
Chapman warns that without immediate action from the Scottish Government, landlords will take full advantage of the current system as soon as existing temporary rent controls expire. She has criticised the government for failing to act decisively and has urged them to implement long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes.
The Housing (Scotland) Bill is still being debated in the Scottish Parliament, but there has been no agreement so far on whether new rent controls will be introduced. Chapman and her party are pushing for clear, enforceable protections that will give renters the security they need.
She emphasises that tenants should not have to rely on the goodwill of landlords to secure fair treatment. Instead, she believes that strong legal protections must be put in place to prevent unfair evictions, excessive rent increases, and poor living conditions. Without such measures, she warns, the housing crisis in Scotland will continue to spiral out of control.
Chapman describes the current situation as a “housing emergency” and stresses the need for urgent action. She argues that housing should be seen as a basic human right rather than a way for landlords to generate profit at the expense of tenants. The Scottish Greens, she says, are committed to shifting the balance of power in favour of renters.
“We’ve been listening to renters, and know that they can’t rely on good-natured landlords,” she states. “This is our opportunity to put power back in people’s hands and guarantee quality, affordable housing. Because homes should be for living in, not for profiteering.”
As the debate over the Housing (Scotland) Bill continues, Chapman and her party remain firm in their stance that stronger rent controls and tenant protections are necessary. They argue that by implementing fair and effective housing policies, Scotland can create a rental market that works for everyone, not just landlords.
Download NOW
4 Simple Steps To Becoming Wealthy Through Property