Average rent increase contested by tenants in Scotland is 20%, RSS figures show

The average rent increase contested by tenants since the relaxation of emergency legislation is now 20%, figures show.

Scottish Labour has accused SNP ministers of “delaying” the problems in the private rented sector instead of solving them after freedom of information (FOI) data obtained by the party showed a surge in the number of tenants appealing against their projected increase.

The emergency cost-of-living legislation, which saw rent prices frozen before a 3% cap on increases was introduced, ended in April.

Ministers then put in place a 12% maximum increase and unhappy tenants could appeal against their landlord’s notice to Rent Service Scotland (RSS).

However, figures from RSS, obtained by Scottish Labour, showed the average proposed increase reported for adjudication in the period from April 1 to July 23 was 20%.

It also showed the highest rent rise imposition reported since April 1 was 186%.

The same data indicated an almost four-fold increase in the number of applications received by RSS since the 3% rent cap ended.

Figures showed 903 adjudication requests were received from April to July, up from a total of 181 between 2018 and 2022.

Scottish Labour housing spokesman Mark Griffin said: “Sadly these figures show that rather than fixing the roof with the rent freeze, the SNP just put out a bucket to catch the drips.

“Delaying a problem is not the same as solving it – the SNP’s inability to come up with a viable alternative to rent controls in time have left tenants dealing with a cliff edge of rent increases when emergency legislation ended.

“Rather than prioritising the Housing Bill so MSPs could work together on a sustainable plan, the SNP has slashed the affordable housing budget and let house-building crumble on its watch.

“Because there is nowhere else for them to go, working families, young people and those on the lowest incomes stuck in the private rental sector are forced to find the money for soaring house costs.

“This SNP Government must prioritise the housing emergency by developing joined-up policy so that everyone has a place to call home.”

Housing minister Paul McLennan said: “The rent cap provided protection for tenants within existing tenancies.

“While the rent cap came to an end on March 31, our temporary changes to the way rents are decided, if a tenant seeks a review, protect people from very steep in-tenancy rises.

“The Rent Service Scotland figures show it is important that this extra protection is in place, and I welcome that tenants are making use of it.

“Our Housing Bill, currently being considered by Parliament, sets out proposals for long-term rent controls seeking to stabilise rent for both existing and new tenants.”