Living Rent Campaign hands in 8,000 strong petition calling for rent controls

The Living Rent Campaign will today hand in a petition calling for the re-introduction of rent controls and an end to unjust evictions to the minister for housing and welfare, Margaret Burgess.

The petition, which has gathered 8,000 signatures from people all across Scotland since its launch in June 2015, urges the Scottish Government to introduce rent controls in order to put a stop to the unaffordable rent increases that have taken place in Scotland in recent years.

It also calls for an end to unjust no-fault ground evictions, ensuring all evictions take into account tenants’ circumstances. The petition is the second of its kind collected by the Living Rent Campaign, with the first petition handed to the Scottish Government in December 2014.

The Living Rent Campaign has been backed by a large number of Scottish trade unions, charities as well as youth and community organisations. It has also gathered cross-party support with signatures by MPs and MSPs from the SNP, Scottish Labour and the Scottish Greens.

The Scottish Government is currently consulting on reforms to the private rented sector, and first minister Nicola Sturgeon has repeatedly said that rent controls are being considered as part of these reforms.

Jon Black, from the Living Rent Campaign said: “The thousands of signatures on this petition are a clear sign we need controls on sky-high rents and guarantees that people won’t be kicked out of their home for no good reason. Housing is a basic human need, and we have to make sure everyone has access to a safe, secure and affordable home.

“We have been told heart-rending stories from tenants who have been made homeless by rent increases they can’t afford, people who have been evicted after asking for repairs, and families struggling to find appropriate accommodation within their budget. The sorry state of the private rented sector is damaging people’s lives.

“Almost every other country in Europe already has rent controls and strong regulation to protect tenants’ rights. We’re calling on the Scottish Government to join them in ensuring that no one is left without a roof over their heads.”

Nicola Sturgeon has repeatedly said that the Scottish Government are exploring the introduction of rent controls in Scotland

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