MSPs pass emergency bill to cap housing rents
The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Bill passed its final stages in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, completing its passage under the Parliament's emergency procedure.
Members voted 89-27 in favour of the measure, which protects tenants in the private and social housing sectors from rent increases until next March, with the possibility of extensions, six months at a time, for a further year by regulations.
There are exceptions for landlords experiencing increased property costs, such as mortgage interest or service charges in relation to their leased property.
Additionally, the bill places certain restrictions on evictions from residential tenancies. There are exemptions for landlords, including where a landlord is experiencing financial hardship.
Conservative members opposed the bill as liable to reduce the amount of housing available for rent. Some other members also expressed concern about the effect of lost revenue on social landlords. However Tenant's Rights Minister Patrick Harvie insisted that the bill was balanced and that the Government was working on longer term reforms in which all voices would be heard.