HUNDREDS of landlords attempted to hike rents above government limits, in some cases trying to double them, an investigation by The National has found.
Last year, the Scottish Government introduced protections for tenants that blocked rents from being raised over 12% of the existing monthly cost – but only if the case was referred to Rent Services Scotland (RSS).
The measures are due to end on April 1, three years after the initial rent freeze was introduced.
The National can reveal that of 866 applications to RSS, from April 2024, in 490 cases (56.5%) landlords tried to push rents above 12%.
Research conducted by tenants union Living Rent found that on 36 occasions (4%), landlords tried to raise rents by 50% or above.
The union said the figures showed landlords were going to have a “field day” when the protections are lifted in the coming days.
In Falkirk, one landlord tried to raise a tenant’s rent from £520 to £1150 (121%), with rental officers ruling that the monthly amount would be capped at £582.40.
In Glasgow, another tenant challenged an attempt to have their rent doubled from £700 to £1400. The final decision ruled rent would be £784 per month.
The Scottish Landlord Association did not respond to our request for comment.
Overall, Living Rent found that rent officers reduced the amount tenants would pay to around 9% on average, and previously urged for the measures to be kept in place while the Housing Bill, which contains plans for rent controls, makes its way through Holyrood.
Ruth Gilbert, national campaign chair Living Rent, told The National: “These numbers highlight how irresponsible it is for the government to abolish the 12% cap that has protected tenants from sky high rent increases.
“Landlords are about to have a field day as they hit tenants hard with rent increases that push many tenants further into poverty.
“As the data from last year shows, open market rent means many will have a rent increase of 20 to 30%. No one can afford this.”
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie, former minister for tenants rights, said that he “wished” the figures were a surprise.
“It's an indication of the scale of increases which will now be allowed,” he said.
“Those kinds of increases that people could challenge successfully, people will make those challenges and they'll lose, or they'll know that they don't have much of a chance, and they won't make the challenges at all.
“That's the real concern, that the scale of increases are just going to be beyond anything that people can manage.”
The National put the figures to Housing Minister Paul McLennan, who said he would not be drawn on “hypothetical” increases, adding that the Scottish Government will monitor the situation after April 1.
He said: “Obviously we’ve got to ask landlords to be sensible about this as well, and part of what we tried to do was about making sure that there was the ability to raise rent but it was based on a level that was reasonable.
“I think we’ve struck the right balance in terms of what we’re trying to do, and we are still committed to rent controls coming in.”
Rent increases of over 90%
Our investigation found another Glasgow landlord attempted to almost double rent on a southside property from £620 to £1200 (94%).
Meanwhile in the Marchmont area in Edinburgh, an attempt to hike rent in a five-bedroom property from £2000 per month to £3800 (90%), was limited to just £2240.
Elsewhere in the southside of Glasgow, tenants were asked to pay £1400 a month (+87%), up from £750.
The Housing Bill, which is currently at Stage 2 in the Scottish Parliament and likely to see more amendments, contains plans for rent controls. The legislation would allow landlords to increase rents at the rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measure of inflation, plus 1%, up to a maximum increase of 6%.
However, Living Rent pointed out this would only come into effect in 2027, and in the mean time tenants are faced with “two years of completely uncapped rents”.
Gilbert added: “Landlords increasing rents will decimate our cities, force people out of their homes and further exacerbate both homelessness and poverty.
“This government is deserting tenants and as a result, tenants will see rents skyrocket, an increase in homelessness and even greater pressure on social housing.”
Harvie said that if the bill goes through as it is with no amendments and the government's plans for rent controls come in “it’s better than nothing”.
“But the worry is that the most positive benefit that it could have delivered simply will not materialise,” he added.
“If local authorities use the power, it will prevent the most abusive rent hikes in certain circumstances, but it won't stop the long term trend toward housing becoming ever more unaffordable for people.”
McLennan admitted the 1% above inflation is where the SNP and Scottish Greens disagree on rent controls.
“They didn't want the 1%, the 1% allows that ability for investment,” he added.
“I think that's a balance that it's going to strike the right note in terms of allowing investment, but it also gets that rent control.
“We're the only government in the UK that's going to be doing that. I think we struck the right note, and hopefully, I think we'll get support in the Parliament for that.”
