Scottish Parliament Committee recommends MMR exemption from rent controls
Recommendations to government published today on the Housing Bill.
The ‘lead’ committee on the draft Housing Bill, the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, has today published their official report into the Bill. Noting concerns from SFHA and others, they provided strong advice to government on providing clarity around Mid-Market Rent.
Among its recommendations, they conclude: “[T]here is an existing strong case for mid-market rent properties to be excluded from the rent control provisions in the Bill and recommends that the Scottish Government brings forward appropriate amendments at Stage 2. Once again, the Committee would reiterate the importance of providing certainty about the Bill's measures in order to mitigate negative consequences for the rental property sector, and ultimately tenants themselves. The Scottish Government should provide transparency about its policy decisions as soon as possible and not wait until Stage 2 or 3 of the Bill process”
SFHA will update members on the government’s response to the report. The stage one debate on the Bill, where Parliament votes on whether it proceeds to further stages, is on 28 November.