Changes to Rent Controls in Scotland – What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know

The Scottish Government is currently progressing the Housing (Scotland) Bill through Parliament, which is set to introduce permanent rent control measures and rent adjudication regulations. While these new rules are being debated and finalised, there’s an important transitional period to be aware of.

What’s Changing and When?

The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022, which brought in emergency controls to protect tenants during the cost of living crisis—including caps on rent increases and limits on evictions—officially ended on 31 March 2024.
However, some of these protections have been temporarily extended through the Rent Adjudication (Temporary Modifications) (Scotland) Regulations 2024, which continue to restrict rent increases until 31 March 2025.

After this date, from 1 April 2025, rent assessments will revert to the terms that were in place before the Cost of Living Act came into effect. This means that market rent levels are likely to reassert themselves, and many experts—including Propertymark members—are forecasting a rise in rental prices as landlords attempt to balance rising operational costs and losses incurred during the period of rent caps.

Key Rules for Rent Increases After 1 April 2025

For tenancies that began on or after 1 December 2017, the following will apply:

• Rent increases will be permitted once every 12 months.

• Landlords must use a prescribed form to notify tenants of a rent increase and provide three months’ notice.

• If tenants believe the proposed increase is excessive, they can challenge it within 21 days by applying to Rent Service Scotland.

• Rent Service Scotland will then assess the rent against open market values. The result may be higher, lower, or the same as the landlord’s proposed increase.

• Either the tenant or landlord can appeal this decision within 14 days of notification.

• A final rent order will be made, though further appeal to the First Tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber) is also possible within 14 days of the final decision.

What This Means for You

As we are in this transitional period, both landlords and tenants should prepare for changes in how rents are reviewed and challenged. For landlords, it’s important to understand the updated notice periods and forms required, as well as the possibility of adjudication and appeals.

At Cairn Letting, we’re committed to helping our clients navigate these changes smoothly. Whether you’re a landlord reviewing your property portfolio or a tenant with questions about your rights, our team is here to support you every step of the way.