The Scottish Government has been called on to offer more support to people who rent their home from a private landlord amid the cost of living crisis.
Figures from the ONS show that private rental prices in Scotland shot up by 2.6 per cent in a single year – the biggest annual increase since records began.
The Record revealed last year how the soaring cost of renting a private home is already causing massive poverty and fuelling homelessness.
A shortage of supply has led to abuse by unscrupulous landlords, who are refusing to meet the cost of basic repairs and are illegally evicting tenants.
Figures show that the average monthly rent for a flat in Glasgow rocketed by £73 in a year, the biggest rise among UK cities.
Labour today warned the sharp rise in rent will pile pressure on households already struggling with a cost of living crisis driven by soaring bills and high inflation.
The party last year lodged a bill to regulate private rent but SNP and Tory MSPs voted against it.
The Scottish Government has since committed to rent controls in its draft strategy for tenants - but that is not due to take effect until the end of 2025.
Labour MSP Mark Griffin has called on SNP and Green ministers to take action now.
He said: “These stark rises will pile pressure on households already struggling with a cost of living crisis. Bills are soaring, food shops are going up and now rent is rising at record rates.
"After 15 years in power the SNP have no-one to blame but themselves for the dire state of Scotland’s housing market.
"Scottish Labour put forward plans for rent controls years ago but the SNP blocked them – and now we are seeing the consequences of that shameful decision.
"They are still moving far too slowly. The longer the SNP-Green government drag their feet on this, the more time landlords have to hike rents in the meantime.
"The SNP-Green government cannot drag their heels on rent controls while people are struggling to pay their bills. People cannot wait – this must be brought in as a priority.”
The Record has asked the Scottish Government for comment.
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