A Living Rent for Scotland’s Private Tenants

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

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

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

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

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

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