Green Party representatives in the Scottish Parliament are calling for urgent action to tackle rising rents. They are urging politicians from across the political spectrum to support their proposal for immediate rent controls, which they believe are necessary to protect tenants from what they describe as “brutal rent hikes.”
The proposal has been introduced as an amendment to the upcoming debate on the Housing Bill. If accepted, it would put rent caps in place straight away, rather than waiting for the wider reforms contained within the Bill to take effect. The Greens argue that tenants cannot afford to wait while rents continue to rise unchecked.
This is not the first time rent control measures have been considered in Scotland. Back in 2022, Patrick Harvie, who was then the housing minister as part of the SNP-Green coalition, introduced a temporary cap on most rent increases during a tenancy. The measure was intended to provide short-term relief to renters facing rising costs in a difficult housing market.
That temporary rent cap officially came to an end in March 2024. In its place, Harvie brought in a short-term rent adjudication system. This arrangement allowed tenants to appeal proposed rent increases to a rent officer, who could limit rises to no more than 12% in certain cases. It was seen as a compromise, offering some protection while longer-term solutions were being considered.
However, after the SNP split from the Greens earlier this year, the ruling party chose to scrap the adjudication system entirely. That decision took effect in April, leaving tenants without any form of direct protection against steep rent increases. According to the Greens, this has placed thousands of renters across Scotland “at the mercy of a broken housing market.”
Since the removal of these safeguards, campaigners have reported sharp rises in rents. The activist group Living Rent has worked alongside the Greens to highlight cases where landlords have attempted to impose increases well above what is considered reasonable. Reports suggest that some tenants have faced proposed rises of 30%, while others have even seen demands of up to 88%.
Green MSP Maggie Chapman, who is leading the amendment in Parliament, has been outspoken in her criticism of the Scottish Government’s decision. She argues that the removal of protections has left tenants vulnerable to exploitation, particularly from landlords willing to take advantage of the situation.
Chapman says her party had previously warned that scrapping protections would have serious consequences. According to her, these warnings have now been proven correct, with renters facing unaffordable increases and little recourse to challenge them.
While the Housing Bill does contain plans for rent controls, Chapman emphasises that these will only come into force at a later stage. She believes this delay will leave too many households struggling in the meantime, and insists that immediate action is required to prevent further hardship.
The Greens’ proposed amendment would reinstate protections without delay. It is designed to halt extreme rent increases and restore a sense of stability for renters who are worried about losing their homes or being forced into financial difficulty.
Chapman has also pointed out that Scotland’s rental market is already stretched, with many tenants paying more than half of their income on housing. She argues that this level of spending is unsustainable and contributes to wider financial insecurity across communities.
The MSP has also criticised what she calls the “landlord lobby,” suggesting that some property owners are prioritising profit over the well-being of tenants. She believes stronger rules are needed to rebalance the system and ensure that housing remains affordable for ordinary people.
According to Chapman, if the Scottish Government is serious about its commitment to long-term rent controls, then it makes little sense to give landlords a window of opportunity to push rents higher before the legislation comes into force. She believes this undermines the very purpose of the reforms.
The Greens are now appealing to MSPs from all political parties to support their amendment. Chapman has argued that backing the proposal would demonstrate a clear commitment to standing up for constituents and tackling Scotland’s housing crisis head-on.
Ultimately, the Greens say their plan would provide much-needed relief to renters facing escalating housing costs. They hope that immediate protections will not only stop excessive rent hikes but also give tenants greater peace of mind, offering a sense of security and stability at a time when many households are under severe financial pressure.
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