Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 - proposed extension: statement of reasons

No material changes to findings from the impact assessment have been identified.

Whilst there may be some households where even the modest rent increase allowed under the 3% cap causes an increase in financial hardship, we consider that the amended rent cap will ensure that rent increases are proportionate and therefore continue to protect households against high rent increases whilst the costs crisis is ongoing.

The increase to the rent cap will mitigate against a disproportionate impact on private landlords who may also be experiencing increased costs due to the cost crisis, allowing them to maintain their properties and meet other expenses, and we consider that the amendment to the cap and to the landlord safeguards achieves this balance.

The Scottish Government is therefore satisfied that the extension and amendment of this provision does not negatively impact the rights and wellbeing of children, and will continue to support young people by stabilising housing costs for them and their families.

No material changes to findings from the impact assessment have been identified.

Whilst there may be some households where even the modest rent increase allowed under the 3% cap causes an increase in financial hardship, we consider that the amended rent cap will ensure that rent increases are proportionate and therefore continue to protect households against high rent increases whilst the costs crisis is ongoing.

The increase to the rent cap will mitigate against a disproportionate impact on private landlords who may also be experiencing increased costs due to the cost crisis, allowing them to maintain their properties and meet other expenses, and we consider that the amendment to the cap and to the landlord safeguards achieves this balance.

The Scottish Government is therefore satisfied that the extension and amendment of this provision will not negatively impact across those with protected characteristics, and instead is likely to have a positive impact during this period of continuing extraordinary economic challenge.

No material changes to the findings from the impact assessment have been identified in relation to the extension of this provision.

Whilst there may be some households where even the modest rent increase allowed under the 3% cap causes an increase in financial hardship, we consider that the amended rent cap will ensure that rent increases are proportionate and therefore continue to protect households against high rent increases whilst the costs crisis is ongoing.

The increase to the rent cap will mitigate against a disproportionate impact on private landlords who may also be experiencing increased costs due to the cost crisis, allowing them to maintain their properties and meet other expenses, and we consider that the amendment to the cap and to the landlord safeguards achieves this balance.

It is the Scottish Government's view that the extension and amendment of this provision will continue to help address socio-economic disadvantage and reduce the inequalities that are associated with being disadvantaged.

No material changes to the findings from the impact assessment have been identified in relation to the extension of this provision.

Whilst there may be some households where even the modest rent increase allowed under the 3% cap causes an increase in financial hardship, we consider that the amended rent cap will ensure that rent increases are proportionate and therefore continue to protect households against high rent increases whilst the costs crisis is ongoing.

The increase to the rent cap will mitigate against a disproportionate impact on private landlords who may also be experiencing increased costs due to the cost crisis, allowing them to maintain their properties and meet other expenses, and we consider that the amendment to the cap and to the landlord safeguards achieves this balance. Given the available data suggests that the impacts of the cost crisis may be greater in some island communities, due to the already higher cost of living and the continued higher prevalence of fuel poverty experienced in these communities (figures in Annex E show that fuel poverty rates will remain higher in rural than in urban areas when the Energy Price Guarantee increases from £2,500 to £3,000 for a typical household in April 2023), we do not consider that the extension and amendment of this provision is likely to affect private landlords and tenants disproportionately in island communities compared to communities on the Scottish mainland.