Proposals to introduce a rent cap for private tenancies in Scotland have been given a boost after MSPs agreed to look again at them.
Holyrood’s local government committee had announced in June it wouldn't have time to consider the Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill before next May’s election.
But after pressure from Scottish Labour and lawyer Mike Dailly the committee has confirmed it will now reconsider the bill and has appealed for evidence on the subject.
The legislation would allow private tenants to apply at any time to a rent officer for a “fair open market rent ” to be set for a property.
It could also see landlords forced to share more information - such as how much an individual property is rented for - on the existing national register.
Pauline McNeil, Labour's equalities spokeswoman at Holyrood, said: “I was very concerned about the position of backbenchers like myself who put years of effort into a bill proposal only for it to be dropped by a committee.
“For that reason, I was very pleased that Mike Dailly, of his own accord, took a petition to the Court of Session on behalf of his client Jayne Ely.
“I am absolutely delighted that the Local Government Committee have now had a change of heart.
“Scotland needs more than ever an effective set of laws that give tenants the right to have their rent assessed and action to curb above inflation rate increases.
“I call on the Scottish Government to listen to renters in these
difficult times and support this bill as a first step in serious law reform in the private rented sector.”
Jayne Ely of campaign group Living Rent said: "I'm really pleased that this Bill is finally going to be considered by Parliament.
“It is important for low income families like mine that this issue is taken seriously, especially given the effect the coronavirus is having on our incomes and jobs.”
Committee convener James Dornan said: “The proportion of households in private rented housing now stands at just under 15%.
“As the private rented sector in Scotland has grown over the last couple of decades there have been various reforms to tighten the regulation of landlords and give tenants more rights.
"But the stated ambition behind this Bill is to change the balance of power further.
"It would cap rent increases to 1% plus CPI and to allow
tenants more scope to challenge rents.
“We are keen to hear views about whether this further change is necessary and whether the provisions in the Bill are workable and will have the intended impact.
“We also want to find out what the financial impact of this Bill would be upon private tenants, landlords, the wider rented sector and others, and we welcome the opportunity to hear views on this proposed legislation.”
