Greens call for city to begin rent control scheme
Glasgow councillors are being asked to get behind new rent controls as set out in the upcoming Scottish Government’s Housing Bill.
As the controversial Scottish Housing Bill works its way through the country’s parliament Green Party leader Seonad Hoy (pictured) is calling on her fellow Glasgow councillors to show their support for rent controls within the city.
Union backing
Some of the biggest trade unions have already pledged their support for rent controls including the Scottish TUC, UNISON, Unite, GMB and ASLEF.
Her call comes after the city’s Tenant-Led Housing Commission for the private sector claimed: “Glasgow has a rent crisis for many in the private rented sector”.
The Commission is pushing Glasgow’s council to work in partnership with the Scottish Government to introduce a points-based system of restrictions on rent rises. This would rate the standard/condition of rental properties and provide an incentive to landlords to make improvements which they could then use to justify rent levels.
Steadfast support
According to Hoy’s motion: “(The) Council will continue to work constructively through COSLA and with the Scottish Government to address any concerns about rent controls, whilst remaining steadfast in its support for the introduction of robust rent controls as part of the Housing Bill.”
As was reported in The Neg last month, such controls remain controversial, with Scottish Labour’s shadow economy secretary Daniel Johnson saying: “The Housing Bill in its current form is unsupportable.“
Members are being asked to approve a letter from the Leader of the Council to the Minister for Housing which states their support for rent controls within the Housing Bill.
