Scottish Greens fear SNP’s rent controls plan may be watered down

The Scottish Greens say they fear the SNP’s plans for rent controls may be watered down, after John Swinney announced his legislative programme earlier this week.

It comes as the Scottish Sun reported that a senior source said the Scottish Government’s Housing Bill would be “streamlined” in a way to encourage investment.

The smaller pro-independence party said it would be a “shameful betrayal” if protections for tenants were diluted.

John Swinney’s Programme for Government said amendments to the Bill would be brought forward to provide “certainty for tenants while also encouraging investment”.

As the Greens are no longer part of the Scottish Government, the SNP form a minority administration and will need to seek help from other parties to pass their Budget in the coming months.

Green co-leader Lorna Slater has already indicated there is significant distance between the two parties, accusing the SNP of shelving commitments made while she was in government.

Green MSP Maggie Chapman said on Saturday: “The First Minister has said that his priority is eradicating child poverty, but we can’t do that without tackling the sky high rents that have plunged so many families into debt, poverty and insecurity.

“Rent controls and tenants’ protections can provide a strong foundation for resilient communities and a more equal society.

“If this Bill is watered down or the tenants’ protections diluted, or if the SNP caves to the vested interests of the landlord lobby, it will be a shameful betrayal of the many tenants who are on the front line of the housing emergency and need their Government to be on their side.”

She added: “When the Scottish Greens were in government we used emergency legislation to introduce a temporary rent freeze and protections that supported tenants across the country.

“These were vital steps, but if we are to have any chance of fixing the broken housing market then we need those same protections to be made permanent.”

Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “We are committed to introducing rent controls and the Housing Bill will ensure we can deliver important reforms to the rented sector.

“We will continue to work with tenants, landlords and investors as the Bill progresses through Parliament to ensure the measures will support the supply and affordability of high-quality rented housing in Scotland.

“This will include bringing forward amendments to the Bill that will clearly set out how rent increases will be capped in areas where rent controls apply, in a way that provides certainty for tenants while also encouraging investment.”