The Scottish Government has now confirmed that regulations will be submitted to the Scottish Parliament to expire the provisions in the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 relating to the rent cap in the social rented sector.

On the back of this development, the SHR’s head of regulation Helen Shaw has issued a reminder to confirm the level of rent increase they propose to implement in April 2023 as soon as practical after tenants have been consulted and committees or governing bodies have made that decision.

In a letter sent to all social landlords, Ms Shaw added: “Landlords are required to submit this information to us in the Annual Return on the Charter in May each year. You will appreciate however the focus on ensuring that rents remain as affordable as possible in light of the current cost of living crisis.

“So that is why we have asked landlords to confirm to us what their planned rent increase will be as soon as that decision has been made. As highlighted in my previous letter, we asked you to notify your Engagement Plan Lead Officer of your planned rent increase, and we would now ask that if you haven’t already done so, you submit this information to us by 28 February 2023. If you are unable to confirm your planned rent increase by that date, please contact your Lead Officer to let us know when you will be able to confirm the decision.

“To help the Scottish Government report to Parliament on the position with rent increases after 1 April 2023, we will publish information on the planned increases in due course.”