Rent Pressure Zones

Scotland’s system of rent controls is not working but can be fixed by handing communities more power, according to a new report by a policy group founded by SNP members. 

Housing, homelessness and fair work convener, Cllr Kate Campbell, writes about how the City of Edinburgh Council is intervening to help those living in the private rented sector. Housing in Edinburgh is under severe pressure. At the Housing, Homeless and Fair Work committee this Thursday we’re

The independent chair of a commission tasked with tackling poverty in Edinburgh has called for the introduction of strict rent controls in the city. Dr Jim McCormick said that high housing costs has been singled out by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission as the biggest barrier to lifting people through

Scotland's "unworkable" Rent Pressure Zones should be urgently replaced with a system of "proper rent controls", according to a new report. The Rent Controls Scotland Needs is set to be launched in Glasgow tomorrow by Living Rent, Scotland's tenants' union, in conjunction with "think-and-do tank" Co

The City of Edinburgh Council is to request that the Scottish Government conducts a review into the effectiveness of a rent pressure zone (RPZ) after a report found that the policy is not fit for purpose. Designed to cap any future increase in rent in a local authority area, RPZs became available as

More research and local dialogue is required in order for Highland Council to consider making a rent pressure zone (RPZ) application, councillors have heard. Section 35 of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 enables local authorities to apply to Scottish Ministers to ask that all or

Ashley Campbell To mark today’s introduction of the new Private Residential Tenancy, Ashley Campbell outlines the ramifications of the new regime.

Housing minister Kevin Stewart With just over a week before the introduction of a new private residential tenancy in Scotland, housing minister Kevin Stewart explains why the changes will benefit renters.

Councillors are to consider moves to introduce a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) across Inverness following claims of “extortionate” sums being charged. According to the Inverness Courier, single bedroom flats and even some bedsits in the city are currently being rented at about £500 per month, with t

The City of Edinburgh Council should be at the head of the queue to use new legal powers to tackle soaring rents in the private rented sector, the city’s Green councillors have argued. New research published by the party shows that city rents have soared by 40% in the last seven years, far outstri

A motion to commission a report to investigate the possibility of introducing Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) across Glasgow has been approved by councillors. Designed to cap any future increase in rent in a local authority area, RPZs will become available as part of the new Private Housing (Tenancies) (

A union of nurses is calling for action to help NHS staff in Scotland find accommodation in the areas they provide hospital care, and to reduce damage to public health caused by poor housing. A motion being put to a major congress of the Royal College of Nursing in Glasgow next month will ask member

Delegates at the SNP Spring Conference have voted overwhelmingly to support a resolution committing the party to supporting the introduction of national rent controls for all tenants. The proposal calls on the party leadership to go beyond the local rent controls in the Private (Housing) Tenancies B

Maggie Chapman The Scottish Green Party has stepped up its calls for action on the cost of renting a home as a new poll revealed most Scots support a points-based system of rent controls.

The Scottish Government has passed amendments to its Private Tenancies Bill to strengthen its proposed rent control laws, though campaigners have warned that ministers need to go further to ensure protections for vulnerable tenants are guaranteed under the new legislation. The Private Housing (Tenan