Nicola Sturgeon privately lobbied the Scottish Government to take a softer approach before rent controls were scrapped, only for her concerns, and those of other senior SNP figures, to be brushed aside.
Documents obtained by the Sunday Mail reveal that months before the rent cap was lifted on April 1, the former First Minister wrote to Housing Minister Paul McLennan, warning of the real danger of massive rent hikes once protections ended. “I share the fear of extremely high rent increases taking effect when the protection ends,” she said, suggesting a more gradual transition should be put in place, reported the Daily Record.
She wasn’t alone. Public finance minister Ivan McKee backed her up, saying his constituents were already struggling and that extending the protections “would prevent further hardship for tenants already facing rising costs.”
Equalities minister Kaukab Stewart also weighed in, saying that tenants in her area were being hit with rent rises “that far exceed inflation or any justified costs to landlords,” adding that the government’s renters’ rights campaign just wasn’t cutting it.
In total, five SNP figures raised the alarm, including Children’s Minister Natalie Don-Innes and former Equalities Minister Emma Roddick. Still, the policy went ahead, allowing landlords to raise rents to whatever they deemed “market rate.” Previously, they had been limited to 12% increases.
The fallout has been brutal for tenants, many of whom are now staring down rent rises of hundreds of pounds a month. One expectant mum wrote to McLennan in desperation, saying her rent was going up by £400—from £600 to £1000. “I’m due to go on maternity leave soon so I’m naturally incredibly anxious,” she said. “My income is going to be significantly lower and I already struggle to make ends meet on a full-time nurse salary.”
Another tenant, a low-paid bookseller from Edinburgh, shared their fear, saying: “When I heard the news, I literally felt sick with worry. Edinburgh is in the middle of a declared housing crisis and simply scrapping controls is deeply irresponsible and unacceptable.”
The Scottish Government insists protections remain in place, including a tenant’s right to appeal a rise. But critics say those appeals can backfire, with adjudicators allowed to impose even higher rents than what was originally demanded—something campaigners say will discourage many from challenging increases.
Green MSP Maggie Chapman called for the protections to be reinstated immediately until permanent rent control measures in the Housing Bill come into effect in 2027. “SNP MSPs must also press the Scottish Government to reinstate temporary protections against rip-off rents,” she said.
Campaigners and tenants alike are left wondering why a policy with such widespread concern, even within government, was pushed through regardless.
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