Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 08 March 2023
08 Mar 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Parliamentary Bureau Motion
In that case, I need to move on quickly.
That approach gives a measure of parity in monetary terms, in line with the voluntary rent-setting agreement that is in place with social sector landlords, while continuing to protect tenants from unaffordable rent increases.
There is also a safeguard in place for landlords who could alternatively opt to apply to rent service Scotland for a rent increase of up to 6 per cent, if they have had an increase in their defined prescribed property costs within a specified period.
I draw to Mr Mountain’s attention that it is important to recognise that, as well as being time limited and kept under review, the emergency legislation does not affect initial rent setting; it affects only in-tenancy rent increases.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S6M-08153, on approval of a Scottish statutory instrument. I call George Adam, on b...
Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Thank you, Presiding Officer. Before my comments, I remind members of my entry in the register of interests, which shows that I own rental properties in Mora...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Edward Mountain
Con
I am in my last minute, but I will give way if I have time.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The member should conclude.
Edward Mountain
Con
I am sorry—I would have taken Mr Mason’s intervention if I had had time. The SSI is bad for landlords and bad for tenants, and it is contributing to the col...
The Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights (Patrick Harvie)
Green
As the whole Parliament is well aware, we introduced the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 to do three things: to protect tenants throug...
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I remind Parliament of my interest as the owner of a private rented property in North Lanarkshire. We agree that it is right to extend the provisions, given ...
Patrick Harvie
Green
As Mark Griffin knows, the necessity and proportionality of the emergency measures needs to be continually reassessed in the light of events. That is why the...
Mercedes Villalba (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Patrick Harvie
Green
I am afraid that I need to move on. We recognise the on-going impacts of the cost crisis, which may also be impacting on some private landlords. That is why...
Mercedes Villalba
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention on that point?
Patrick Harvie
Green
I will, if I can have some extra time.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I can give you a little time back, but you have only half a minute of your time left.
Patrick Harvie
Green
In that case, I need to move on quickly. That approach gives a measure of parity in monetary terms, in line with the voluntary rent-setting agreement that i...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Please conclude, minister.
Patrick Harvie
Green
In summary, for many years, Scotland has led the way on housing issues, including through the abolition of the right to buy, the provision of security of ten...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, minister. You must conclude.
Patrick Harvie
Green
—and I ask Parliament to approve the necessary and important measures that are before it today.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The question on the motion will be put at decision time.