First minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today that there would be a rent freeze for Scotland's tenants.
The announcement was made as part of her Programme for Government, which was unveiled earlier today. Rent freeze has been brought in to combat the soaring cost of living and rising energy bills.
Scotrail fares were also frozen and the Scottish child payment will be increased from £20 to £25 weekly for every eligible child from November.
The First Minister said: "The Scottish Government does not have the power to stop your energy bills soaring, but we can and will take action to ensure that your rent does not rise."
"By definition these are temporary measures. But they will provide much needed security for many during what will be a difficult winter."
Here is more information on the rent freeze, for those who are unsure about what it means and how it will affect them.
How will the rent freeze work?
Landlords will not be able to increase a tenant's rent during the rent freeze. This is set to last until at least 31 March 2023.
The rules apply to tenants living in both private and social rented accommodation.
The policy was first tableted by Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba, but was initially refused by SNP and Green Ministers.
With bills expected to go up for many following the Ofgem price cap increase on October 1, the rent freeze has been introduced to provide tenants with some stability.
The "emergency legislation" will also provide other support and resources to tenants, in order to protect them through the cost of living crisis.
What else included?
There will also be a moratorium (ban) on evictions under the new legislation. This will also last until at least 31 March 2023.
The Scottish Government is planning to launch a new tenants' rights campaign to help renters better understand their legal standing. For example, before the rent freeze - and once the freeze ends - a tenant has the ability to challenge rent rises.
Tenants who are in debt are also set to receive some "financial breathing space" as the minimum amount at which arrestments can be made on people's bank accounts is set to be raised to £1000.
The eligibility for the Tenant Grant Fund will also be extended. The fund was a one-off payment to help people who got into rent arrears because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is now set to help people who are struggling with wider cost of living increases.
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