A Living Rent for Scottish Tenants

Policy Paper

Credits — Gordon Maloney

Overview

Common Weal and Living Rent’s five key reforms of the private rented sector.

This report, co-published by Common Weal and the Living Rent Campaign, outlines five key policy recommendations for creating a living rent in the private rented sector in Scotland.

Key Points

1. Initial rents should be set against a points system to reflect the value of the property.

2. Rent increases be capped at a rent affordability index to ensure increases do not push tenants into hardship.

3. A move towards indefinite tenancies as default, away from short-term contracts.

4. Ensure that all tenants are entitled to a hardship defence in relation to evictions.

5. Create a Scottish Living Rent Commission, to oversee these recommendations and to serve as a centre of expertise for the Scottish Private Rental Sector.