The Scottish government has urged tenants to tackle unfair tenancies before the emergency rent cap and additional evictions protections end on 31st March.

Its new awareness raising campaign highlights their rights and what they should expect from their landlords.

This includes the right to ask for a rent increase review, protection from illegal evictions or being asked to leave a property without proper notice, a landlord giving a tenant the correct notice period before increasing rent and ensuring rented homes are maintained to an acceptable standard.

The government has temporarily changed the rent adjudication process from 1st April when landlords will then be able to return their rent prices to the open market value (after giving three months’ notice), allowing tenants to apply to Rent Service Scotland or to the first-tier tribunal if they feel the increase is unwarranted.

Significant rights

Tenants’ Rights Minister Patrick Harvie (main image) says when the emergency legislation ends, tenants will still have significant rights while it has made use of powers to make sure any rent rises are more manageable.

“Subject to parliamentary approval, the system of checking rent rises will be adjusted from 1st April so that rents are not simply jumping to market levels in all cases in one step,” he adds.

“I would encourage anyone who is currently renting or about to enter the rental market to check the rights that exist to protect them from unfair practices.”

Citizens Advice Scotland spokesperson Emma Jackson agrees that it’s important people understand their rights around private rents once the rent cap ends. “If you think your landlord has put up the rent by too much after 1st April you can apply to Rent Service Scotland to see if it is a fair rise,” she adds.