Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP Mhairi Black has recently voiced her opinions around regulating Scotland’s private renting sector and joined students at her local university in calling for rent controls.

Speaking at the University of the West of Scotland, Ms Black said the time has come for rent controls to be introduced.

She added: “Rising rent prices are putting huge pressure on people. Inflated rent prices prevent students getting suitable accommodation and it is time for a change.”

Jack Douglas, the president of the Students Association of the University of the West of Scotland, said “Growing rent prices is a huge concern to students at the University of the West of Scotland and elsewhere in Scotland. We are incredibly pleased that Mhairi Black has joined with us and many other campaigning organisations in Scotland in backing rent controls.

“What’s being called for is not a new idea, limits on rental increases were scrapped during the Thatcher government. The lack of regulation in this area has been detrimental to people and has allowed living costs to rise. High housing prices are a key cause of student poverty however this year the Scottish Government really has the chance to fix this by implementing rent controls.”

This call comes just after the second round of consultation over the Housing Bill and after a petition of 8000 signatures to reintroduce rent controls was handed to the Scottish Government from the Living Rent Campaign.

Liz Ely, an activist with the Living Rent Campaign, said: “Mhairi Black is the latest politician in Scotland to join the call for rent controls, and we warmly welcome her support. Rent controls are crucial to tackling poverty in Scotland, and it should come as no surprise that such a tireless campaigner for social justice as Mhairi Black is now calling for their reintroduction.”