Rent Controls In Scotland

The Living Rent Campaign wants rates to be set at affordable levels and for a guarantee that increases will not force tenants into poverty.

Members say rents should be determined by the quality, size, location and facilities of their home. They also wants tenants to be protected against eviction by getting rid of the 'no-fault' system and for 'discretion' to be used so that an individual's circumstances can be taken into consideration.

This weekend, the SNP Students conference voted overwhelmingly to back the call for rent controls, and Kezia Dugdale MSP, the newly-elected leader of the Scottish Labour Party, added her voice to the campaign.

The campaign has also been supported by SNP MPs Mhairi Black and Tommy Sheppard, as well as the two Green MSPs, Patrick Harvie and Alison Johnstone.

Cameron Hill, from the Living Rent Campaign, welcomed the support. "We have had enthusiastic support from across Scottish society, from trade unions and community groups, to politicians from the SNP, Greens, Labour and the SSP."

"Unaffordable rents are driving people into poverty across Scotland, and there can be no answer to Scotland's housing crisis that doesn't include rent controls. This is an argument that is being won everywhere, from our streets and doorsteps to the corridors of power."