The Scottish Greens have lodged an amendment to the Housing Bill, calling for immediate support for renters ahead of the final debate on the legislation. 

The amendment, if passed, would provide support before the legislation comes into force in 2027. 

In 2022, Patrick Harvie, while he was tenants’ minister, introduced a temporary rent freeze and subsequent cap.

When the cap ended in March 2024, a temporary rent adjudication process was put in place, which stopped landlords from raising rents above 12%, if the tenant applied to a rent officer for adjudication. 

READ MORE: This inspiring 19-year-old refugee is advising the Scottish Government

We revealed that despite this protection, hundreds of landlords in Scotland still tried to hike rents way above this limit – in one case over 100%. 

However, the protections ended in 2025, and while tenants can still apply for adjudication, rent officers will rule based on market rates. 

The Greens say that since the change came in they, alongside tenants campaign group Living Rent, have documented cases of rent hikes that have gone far beyond affordability – in some cases 30%. 

Maggie Chapman MSP, who will be introducing the amendments, said: “We warned the Scottish Government that removing protections would result in renters being punished and exploited by rogue landlords, and that is what has happened.

“The Housing Bill will provide some badly needed protections and rent controls when it comes into force, but there are a lot of people who can’t afford to wait. We will be introducing amendments to restore protections immediately and halt the astronomical hikes that are being forced on people and families all over Scotland.

(Image: PA) “The rental market is broken and already leaves far too many renters in insecure housing which can cost them over half their pay cheque. We need to end the exploitation and curb the powers of the landlord lobby who are only too happy to profit from so much misery.

“The Scottish Government says it is committed to long-term rent controls, but if this is the case, why are they giving landlords the opportunity to hike rents in advance of the controls coming into place?

“I hope that MSPs from all parties will support their constituents and back our plans to provide immediate protections so that we can finally begin to cut costs and provide the stability and peace of mind that so many are desperate for.”

The Housing Bill, if passed in its current form, would allow councils to create rent control areas.

READ MORE: Never mind welcoming migrants, we should be rolling out red carpet

The Scottish Government plans would limit this to the rate of inflation plus 1%, but it would be capped at 6%. 

The cap will apply both to rent increases during the term of a tenancy and in between tenancies.

The Greens have proposed rent control plans that would instead cap rent by the rate of inflation, earnings growth, or 6%, whichever is lowest.