TENANTS have rallied outside the Scottish Parliament to demand MSPs back a housing bill that will see rent controls introduced and end evictions.
The housing bill was debated in Parliament yesterday with a rally organised by Living Rent simultaneously unfolding outside.
Tenants joined the rally in numbers to urge government ministers and MSPs to back the bill which will see rent controls introduced.
The news comes amid soaring rent prices in the capital with annual statistics published yesterday showing a whopping 61.3% increase in rent prices across Scotland since 2010.
Living Rent campaign to support renters and tenants in Scotland organising to “collectively build power”.
They organised yesterday’s rally outside the Scottish Parliament urging MSPs to make the right choice amid a housing crisis, with more than 300 attendees reported to have joined the procession.
Soaring rent prices and a shortage of social housing led MSPs to declare an official housing crisis last year.
Improvements have yet to be seen on the issue however, with rent still increasing since the crisis was declared.
As many as 12 local councils have since declared a housing emergency, after struggling to provide accommodation for residents.
It’s hoped the housing bill will help put an end to this if it passes, with a rent cap lasting between tenancies anticipated to be introduced in “rent controlled zones”.
Other aspects of the bill will aim to target evictions and allow for greater flexibility to keep pets in rental homes.
The bill is still in stage one but is expected to move onto stage two, if passed by tomorrow.
It was introduced in March 2024 and has since gone through a series of checks within the Scottish Parliament.
