Patrick Harvie defends Scotland’s rent cap against critics

Patrick Harvie defends Scotland’s rent cap against critics

10:06 AM, 9th April 2024, About a month ago 17

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Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie has defended Scotland’s rent cap saying that ‘many thousands’ of tenants have been helped and that predictions that landlords would leave the sector were ‘false’.

The tenants’ rights minister was speaking at the Scottish Greens conference, and he offered a robust defence of the rent cap.

Mr Harvie said his party was committed to a ‘new deal for tenants’ and said: “I know what it is like to be harassed out of a flat by an abusive landlord. I am proud we can deliver that new deal.

“The rent freeze has helped many thousands over the last 18 months.”

‘The imbalance of power in private renting’

Mr Harvie also discussed ‘the imbalance of power in private renting’ and said that ‘housing is a human right’.

He said he was ‘proud that we brought in an emergency rent freeze – it’s something that has helped many thousands of people’.

The rent cap was ‘protecting them against literally unendurable rent hikes’.

He went on to say: “Claims that the emergency rent cap would also lead to a reduction in the available property have also proved to be false with the number of rented properties in Scotland actually increasing in the period of the cap.”

‘A system that isn’t delivering that human right to housing ‘

Mr Harvie acknowledged that rents have continued to rise in between tenancies – ‘and that’s just one aspect of a system that isn’t delivering that human right to housing in the way that it should’.

He also said he was proud of the plans for ‘bringing in a permanent system of rent controls for Scotland’.

Mr Harvie went on: “We should never accept that rents can simply spiral out of control, satisfying only those who hold the power in a broken housing market.”

The delegates applauded that statement and he added that it’s ‘not a luxury to allow tenants to have pets and redecorate’ and that Scotland will ‘strengthen the powers of tenants to fight eviction’.

Watch this video of the conference presentation until 5:41 where Mr Harvie discusses the rent cap – and the permanent introduction of rent controls and that Scotland didn’t lose any PRS homes.


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Comments

Reluctant Landlord

12:45 PM, 9th April 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 09/04/2024 - 11:48
if truly uninhabitable email the VOA to get the property removed from the CT listing until such time as it becomes 'habitable'. That way no CT due for the period while off the listing.

(going though this myself at mo)

Krishen Rana

12:50 PM, 9th April 2024, About a month ago

It's unfortunate that Patrick Hargrave is so poorly informed on many of the assertions he makes. He is hopelessly ill-informed on his heat pump effectiveness or sustainability.
On rent this is no different.
A REAL shame the the SNP choose to collaborate with him and spread disinformation on crucial topics
Prof Rana

Beaver

12:54 PM, 9th April 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Property One at 09/04/2024 - 10:21
it isn't just that this politician doesn't understand costs; he also doesn't understand competition. The PRS provides competition to accommodation provided by local government and the social housing sector. That competition gives the market flexibility and increases supply; these two things have the effect of keeping rents competitive...because there is competition.

If politicians eliminate competition they have to find some other way to deal with the supply issue. And that has to be paid for....and that means paid for by the taxpayer if it's not paid for by private industry.

The dramatic increase in rents in Scotland was created by the SNP government.

Small Portfolio Landlord

13:03 PM, 9th April 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 09/04/2024 - 11:48
Now that I agree shouldn't be attracting more council tax. Where a property has been vacated and is no longer in a state to be let, then there should be a moritorium of tax for an agreed period consistent with the amount of damage to be rectified.
I had to pay 2 weeks council tax between tenancies whilst I completed a light refurbishment.
They're just taking anything they can get away with.

Cider Drinker

15:04 PM, 9th April 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 09/04/2024 - 12:45
Hi RL

Thanks for the ‘nudge’. I’ve been so busy fixing the house I ‘d decided not to waste my time contacting the VOA.

I’ve sent them an email asking what evidence I should provide for them to consider a zero rating.

Mick Roberts

5:32 AM, 10th April 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 09/04/2024 - 09:14
Well said Cider.

Rent freeze helped current tenants, going to hurt many more going forward that pay the highest rent ever when moving in.

‘housing is a human right’.
It is, but is it normal non tax funded human being Landlord to provide it?

“We should never accept that rents can simply spiral out of control"
Well u supply the houses then Councils & charge em peanuts which won't pay for your outgoings, although you'll have much less outgoings that private landlord.

moneymanager

13:06 PM, 11th April 2024, About a month ago

The control of private property by the state is communism.

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