The legislation, which is currently at the first stage of the parliamentary process, would require local councils to carry out assessments on the condition of the private rental sector and make recommendations to ministers about imposing rent controls.

Rent controls are due to have their initial vote in parliament in November.

In November last year, the City of Edinburgh Council declared a housing emergency, due to the pressure of increased rents and a shortage of social housing. Over the last decade, rents in the capital have increased by 88.5%. By contrast, inflation was 45.7% during the same period. The social housing waiting list is 24,000 people long in the city.

A motion before the full council passed with 36 votes yesterday.

Ben Parker, Green councillor for Morningside who put forward the motion said: “Rent controls are one vital piece in the fight for everyone in Edinburgh to have access to a safe and secure home. 

“Much was said in the council meeting today about the failures of previous housing policies like the disastrous right-to-buy, but rent controls are something we know have worked in the past, and we know will help us to tackle the city’s housing emergency now.

“For us, it is absolute common sense that the council should support rent controls in recognition of the exploitation of tenants at the hands of unscrupulous landlords and the abject failure of the market to regulate itself. People in Edinburgh need rent controls and I’m pleased we were able to persuade others to back our motion today.”

Tenants’ union Living Rent said that councillors’ support for rent controls is an important step towards a housing system that prioritises the needs of tenants in Edinburgh.

Eilidh Keay, Living Rent’s Edinburgh city chair, said: “This is an important sign that local councillors are committed to bringing in rent controls in Scotland’s capital. Local Authorities will play an important role in implementing any future rent controls so it was vital that councillors supported the motion today.

“Rent controls can not come soon enough for Edinburgh. Rents have skyrocketed by over 80% over the last decade, forcing people to choose between staying in the places they call home or being able to afford to live.

“Last year’s rent cap did not go far enough and did not apply between tenancies. Tenants desperately need this government to introduce a robust system of rent controls tied to the property, not the tenancy, in order to protect all tenants.

“As the voice of tenants across Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland, we look forward to working with the council to ensure that Edinburgh becomes affordable for tenants once again.”