Glasgow tenants warn they could be forced out as rent cap lifted

Tenants in Glasgow are telling us they could soon be forced to move out of the city if landlords increase their bills as rent caps are lifted tomorrow.

Rent caps are being lifted by the Scottish Government meaning monthly payments for many could rise considerably.

Unaffordable

James Stephens in Govanhill had to challenge his landlord when he and his friend were told their bill was going up by 43% last year.

He told Clyde 1: "We try to avoid contacting the landlord as best we can for minor things, even though we probably should, because we don't want to provoke any kind of need to increase the rent.

"We pay enough money every month to replace every appliance in the kitchen.

"I think it's unfair how we are paying more every year but yet no money is being invested in the flat to make it better.

"It's very run down in places."

The Scottish Government insists renters will still be protected from increases which are above the market rate.

It's working on the Housing Bill which it says will support the introduction of longer term rent control where it's needed.

Market rates

Landlords are also warning that rents could now rise exponentially as some try to catch up with market rates.

John Blackwood from the Scottish Association of Landlords said: "It's not within a landlord's interest to be unaffordable.

"That's counterproductive and means those tenants won't be able to pay their rent at some point, their relationship with the landlord will break down and the landlord will get no money at all.

"One of the issues with the legislation going through Parliament at the moment is that landlords will be restricted by how much they can increase rents.

"That's okay for those who're already charging market rate at the moment but makes the situation difficult for those who aren't."

Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “From 1 April, protections continue to be in place against rent increases above market rent for most private tenants and I would encourage tenants to make use of their right to a review of a rent increase.

“We know that there is a need for longer term action on rents to ensure a fairer system for tenants – that is why we are taking forward measures in the Housing Bill to support the introduction of longer-term rent control where this is needed.”

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