Emergency laws to freeze rent for two years have been blocked by the SNP Government despite calls from some party members to get behind the plans.
The vote was part of the latest coronavirus legislation being rushed through Holyrood to deal with the economic fall-out of the pandemic.
In a series of votes, a majority of MSPs rejected a tenant rent support fund, a two-year rent freeze, more protection from eviction and radical proposals to waive rent arrears because of “extreme hardship”.
Earlier, SNP activists raised their concerns online, saying parliament should back Green party bids for a rent controls.
Chris Stephens, SNP MP for Glasgow South West, added: “Agreed. Also collective bargaining. Have asked for an explanation so I can reply to constituents who have been in touch.”
The collective bargaining call referred to union organisation in private care homes, a move described as SNP government minister Michael Russell as “impossible” to achieve overnight.
Green party leader Patrick Harvie - who backed rent controls - said Scotland faces a “tidal wave of evictions” unless tenants get more protection.
Echoing a warning from housing charity Shelter Scotland, Harvie said: “It’s hard to see now what is going to prevent a tidal wave of evictions sweeping people into homelessness services, which were barely coping before the pandemic.
“Given that the Scottish Government did oppose solutions the Scottish Greens put forward, what specific actions will the First Minister take now to protect tenants from building up enormous debt burdens, to ensure that arrears, due to this crisis can’t be used to evict people and prevent this predicted new wave of homelessness after the temporary measures end?”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the government rejected proposals because they were “flawed”, “unnecessary”, or “would have had serious negative unintended consequences”.
She said: “One of the amendments called for a tenants’ fund - we already provide financial assistance to people who have difficulties paying rent through discretionary housing payments (DHPs), we don’t need to establish a new fund.
“Our responsibilities to make sure DHPs are properly resourced and we will continue to monitor and do that.”
She added: “I would never, ever, ever have wished for the circumstances in which we’re having these discussions but it is undoubtedly the case that it gives us an opportunity to change things for the better.
“And that’s something I’m determined to try to do and everybody has a contribution to make to that and a part to play.”
Labour MSP Pauline McNeill, who put forward the tenant rent support fund proposal, said: “The SNP and Tories have agreed support not just for landlords but for those lucky enough to own an extra home they can rent out as a source of income on sites like AirBnB.
“This is a huge injustice for people who need the Scottish Government’s help.”
