Meeting of the Parliament 30 September 2025
As we close our debate on the bill, let us return to the fundamentals: who the bill should serve and what we must demand if we are serious about delivering justice in housing. Too often, in the Parliament and in the media, discussions about housing are dominated by landlords, developers and big finance. We must recentre our debates so that they reflect the needs of the people and communities who rely on us to speak up for them.
The Scottish Greens have always insisted that housing is a human right, not a profit engine. That is why we have pushed hard for rent controls that have real teeth, tougher standards to improve housing quality for everyone and the rectification of the unjust imbalance between tenants’ rights and landlords’ rights. The very fact that a housing bill is in front of us is due to the Scottish Greens. I thank my colleague Patrick Harvie, who introduced the bill and its key measures while serving as a minister. His work is a tangible demonstration of the fact that, when Scottish Greens are elected, they get things done.
The bill offers real progress. It introduces powers for local rent controls to cap annual rent increases in designated areas. It strengthens rights around repairs and security of tenure. Scottish Green amendments also pushed the Government to make changes in key areas.
The bill is a huge step forward for renters, although I am disappointed that it has been watered down in some areas. Improvements that were suggested by us in concert with experts such as Shelter Scotland and Generation Rent have not been agreed to.
The Scottish Greens highlighted how second homes and long-term empty properties must be part of the solution. Unlocking those homes is essential for communities from which local people are priced out. We have been clear that we must support community-led housing and co-operative models and provide stronger powers for local authorities to tackle landlord inaction on safety issues such as damp and mould.
I am concerned about some of the bill’s shortcomings. Exemptions risk creating a two-tier rent control system, and above-inflation rent rises are still possible. Tenants must wait until 2027 for full protection, even though they need that now. Students risk being abandoned to the wild west of unregulated accommodation, and we need stronger compulsory purchase powers for empty homes. Ross Greer’s focus on fairer taxation would have provided tools to deal with that. [Interruption.]
The bill is a test of our values. Will we side with working people and the vulnerable or with powerful interests? Too many Scots are in despair. Families are struggling with rents, students are in poor-quality overpriced housing and communities are being hollowed out by second homes. The Scottish Greens have put forward a vision of tenant empowerment, local accountability and community-led housing solutions. I championed tax relief for co-ops to make them viable, Maggie Chapman warned us not to reinforce inequality and Ross Greer challenged us to create a more just system.
I, too, recognise the work of MSPs from other parties and thank them for it. Mark Griffin worked diligently on a wide range of issues, including emphasising issues to do with the housing emergency; Meghan Gallacher has introduced some welcome changes; and I share Richard Leonard’s concerns about the shameful condition of accommodation for agricultural workers, which must be acted on urgently.
Renters, families, students and all who are at risk of homelessness are watching us tonight, and they need us to act with courage and integrity. Let the bill be the beginning, not the end. Let us deliver housing that works for people all over Scotland.
21:06