Consultation on rent control & joint tenancies
The Scottish Parliament is currently considering the Housing (Scotland) Bill which makes provision for certain areas of Scotland to be designated as “rent control areas” (RCAs) within which rent increases, during and between tenancies, would be restricted to CPI + 1% (up to a maximum of 6%). It is likely that the first RCAs could be designated in 2027. The Bill also proposes amendments to the Private Residential Tenancy legislation to allow one tenant to end a joint tenancy for all tenants, along with a number of other provisions which are detailed here.
The government has now published a consultation to seek views on which properties/tenancies within RCAs should be exempt from rent control, and how the procedure for ending joint tenancies should operate. The consultation can be read and responded to here.
SAL members are encouraged to read and respond to the consultation paper, in particular Chapter 2, which asks for views on exemptions for properties where the rent is significantly below market value and where improvements have been made to the property. SAL has previously campaigned for exemptions covering both of these situations. Chapter 3 asks for views on the procedure which should be followed when one tenant wishes to end a joint tenancy.
If responding to the consultation please do send a copy of your response to info@scottishlandlords.com so that we can ensure SAL’s own response reflects members’ views. The deadline for responding is Friday 18th July.
SAL will be hosting a webinar with the Scottish Government on 3rd June at 11.30am during which members will have the opportunity of learning more about the matters being considered in the consultation paper. To find out more and book your place click here.
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