Chapman welcomes rent freeze and eviction ban

SUPPORT for tenants during the cost of living crisis has been welcomed by a north-east Green MSP.

Maggie Chapman, the Scottish Greens MSP for North East Scotland, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of a national rent freeze and an eviction ban until at least March, which they say will provide “vital stability and support” for tenants across the region and Tayside at a time when many are suffering.

The announcement was made as part of the Programme for Government.

Ms Chapman said: “With high inflation and soaring bills, these are desperate times for people across Scotland. People...have been hit by increasing rents and my colleagues and I have been determined to offer assistance.

“We are facing the biggest social emergency for decades. The rent freeze and eviction ban that the First Minister announced will provide vital stability and support for tenants across the north-east, Tayside and beyond at a time when many are suffering.

“It is one of the steps Scottish Greens are taking, in partnership with the Scottish Government, to mitigate the damage being done by Downing Street and the energy giants.

“Improving tenants rights and tackling inequality are at the heart of the cooperation agreement that we signed with the Scottish Government and must be at the heart of our economic recovery.”

“Over the course of this parliamentary term Scotland will see the biggest expansion of tenants rights since devolution, with more rights for tenants to make a house a home by keeping pets and decorating, better protections from eviction and, perhaps most importantly, a robust system of rent controls.”

Under the new legislation brought forward by the SNP-Green government, will see a rent freeze until at least march 31, 2023 plus a moratorium on evictions, in addition to a new tenants' rights campaign.

A ‘one-stop-shop’ website will be introduced to provide people with information on the range of benefits and support available to help them through the current cost of living crisis.

The measures are part of an overall package worth £3 billion allocated to the end of March for a range of support that will help mitigate the impact of the cost crisis on households

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