Da Scottish Government has lodged chynges tae da Hoosin (Scotland) Bill dat aim tae rein in risin rents. Da new rules wid haad rent hikes in areas wi rent control tae da Consumer Price Index rate plus 1%, altho dey canna rise mair dan 6% in total. Dese limits wid coont for rent hikes baith durin a tenancy an efter ae tenancy eyns.

Da measures come amid widespreid worries ower heich livin costs an steep energy prices. Ministers will chyoose da areas whaar rent control shuid apply. Da chynges bigg on existin richts in da Bill, sic as da keepin o pets.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicatin bairn poverty bides dis government’s main priority an haein a hame can mak a direct contribution tae achievin dis. Ensurin faimilies can hae secure an affordable hames dat meet deir needs is pairt o wir approach tae tacklin da hoosin emergency. Dese measures will help protect tenants against a backdrop o a continuin cost o livin crisis an risin energy costs. We are daein whit we can wi da pouers dat we hae as we ken wir policies are warkin tae improve da lives o faimilies in Scotland. Scotland aaready has some o da strangest richts in da UK for tenants, but we want tae improve da rentin experience even mair tae create an affordable, heich-quality an fair rented sector. We hae bin warkin closely wi tenants’ organisations tae develop provisions in da Hoosin Bill tae improve renters’ richts, includin a system o lang-term rent controls dat is fair for tenants an encourages investment in da sector. Oor rented sector is a crucial pairt o tacklin da hoosin emergency an dese measures provide important certainty for tenants.”

Da proposal sikks tae gie a fair chance tae dem dat rent, even as da cost o livin spurs mony stressfu chyces. Da amendments are pairt o da government’s wider effort tae mend da rentin experience an spairk furdder biggin in da field.