Tenants in Scotland are being targeted by a new campaign that aims to make them aware of their rental rights.

Scottish housing minister Paul McLennan (main image) has launched the campaign which includes information on where renters can go to access help and advice, as well as details about the end of the temporary change to rent adjudication.

Tenants in Scotland already have some of the strongest rights in the UK such as the right to ask for a review of a rent increase and around maintenance, repairs and evictions, says McLennan.

He adds: “We also want to highlight the end of the temporary change to rent adjudication on 31st March. This was put in place to support the transition back to market rent following the temporary cap on rents under the Cost of Living Act.

Rent rights

“Under existing legislation most private tenants continue to have the right to seek a review of a rent increase and I would encourage any tenant who is concerned about this to apply. We’re also taking forward measures in the Housing Bill to address the need for longer term action on rent control and strengthen tenants’ rights where it’s needed.”

Law firm Gilson Gray’s analysis of data from Citylets points to stalling rents in most of Scotland’s cities, although overall, the country saw a 6.2% annual rise during 2024.

Gilson Gray says uncertainty over policy direction has led Scotland’s PRS to undergo a reset and believes the rent cap and eviction legislation in the Housing Bill is causing big changes in the market. It points to a decline in the number of PRS properties from 360,000 in 2017 to 330,000 in 2023, since the original introduction of restrictions.