Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Bill

# Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Bill The rising cost of living has created acute challenges for tenants across Scotland, particularly regarding rent increases and housing security. This bill was introduced to protect private sector tenants from sudden, unaffordable rent rises during a period of significant economic pressure. The legislation addresses concerns that without intervention, tenants facing substantial increases could be forced to leave their homes or fall into financial hardship, whilst also recognising the broader context of inflation and its impact on household budgets. The bill introduces a temporary rent freeze for private tenants, preventing landlords from increasing rents for a defined period. It also extends the notice period required before a landlord can serve a notice to quit, thereby providing tenants with greater security and more time to make housing arrangements if they do need to relocate. These measures operate alongside existing rent controls and tenancy protections under Scottish housing law, creating a time-limited safety net designed to ease immediate pressure on vulnerable households. The bill represents a government intervention into the private rental market, balancing the interests of tenants facing hardship with the considerations of landlords operating in an inflationary economic environment.

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