SCOTTISH LABOUR WILL CAP RENT INCREASES FOR 10,000 TENANTS IN RENFREWSHIRE

Scottish Labour has launched a public consultation on their proposed ‘Mary Barbour’ law, which will cap annual rent increases in private sector properties at one percentage point above inflation.

There are an estimated 10,000 private sector renters in Renfrewshire

The Member’s Bill, named after campaigner Mary Barbour who led the 1915 Glasgow Rent Strikes, will cap increases on private sector rents and give more power to tenants.

The proposed law will cap annual private sector rent increases across Scotland at one percentage point above inflation.

The number of people living in private rented accommodation has increased in recent years, with more and more families negatively affected by soaring rent costs.

Scottish Government figures show that 60,000 children living in private rented accommodation are also living in poverty.

The proposed Bill would introduced a package of measures including:

• Capping annual private sector rent increases at one percentage point above inflation
• Giving tenants more power in rent appeal processes
• Expanding the landlord register to include the level of rent charged.

Members of the public have until the 31 July 2019 to make their views known on the proposal.

 

Neil Bibby MSP said:

“Too many families are being unfairly targeted by rip off rent increases.  A lack of social housing is forcing people to rent privately, which is hammering their cost of living and worsening child poverty across Scotland.”

“Labour’s Mary Barbour law will tackle exploitative landlords by capping private sector rent increases – giving people the opportunity to have secure, affordable tenancies – and ensuring that landlords are transparent about the level of rent they are charging.

“Only Scottish Labour has a plan to tackle the housing crisis and transform our economy for the many.”