CAMPAIGNERS have voiced their support for rent controls to tackle the housing emergency - but there's no decision yet on whether the powers would be used locally.

Argyll and Bute Council said proposals might be considered based on housing data from local areas within the authority.

The local authority was the first in the country to declare a housing emergency - something that has been replicated by other councils and nationally since.

In his first programme for government as First Minister, John Swinney last week announced amendments to the Housing Bill. It would give tenants the "protections they need".

He also stressed the need to strengthen investment in the housing market, pledging £100 million in funding to build 2,800 mid-market rent homes.

However, prior to the parliamentary statement, organisations including Living Rent warned housing minister Paul McLennan to "reaffirm his commitment" to rent controls.

Now, the group has welcomed the announcement but said the amendments to the bill must not be "watered down" as it progresses through parliament.

While the government's Housing Bill, which is currently making its way through Holyrood, pledged long-term rent controls, campaigners feared the commitment would be rowed back on following the collapse of the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens.

Tighter regulations on rent have been strongly criticised in the past by landlord and housebuilding organisations, describing the plans as "disastrous" for the industry.

Rent controls would be determined locally, not on a national level as restrictions had been applied during the pandemic.

An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said: “No decision has been taken on this but it may be a consideration for the council following an analysis of the data for each of our housing areas.”

Ruth Gilbert, national campaigns chair of Living Rent, said: "In the midst of a national housing emergency, this government must listen to tenants and the majority of Scottish voters, and ignore landlord lobbyists.

"They need to work quickly to introduce strong, effective rent controls that bring rents down.

"We'll be watching closely to ensure that no properties are made exempt at stage two and ensure that the government does not water down rent controls' progressive potential."

When asked about the prospect of rent controls, Helensburgh and Lomond's MSP Jackie Baillie focused on housing supply.

She said: “It is clear that the housing crisis is taking a huge toll on residents within my constituency.

“One of the biggest issues raised by people is the lack of availability of suitable housing.

“Both Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire Councils have declared their own housing emergencies, as thousands of people wait for suitable accommodation.

“Many have been forced to look to the private sector due to the lack of social housing but prices there are having a huge impact. Landlords have increased rents for many reasons, including the rising cost of mortgage interest rates.

“This crisis is one of the SNP’s making, they introduced temporary rent controls without planning for the long-term and they lack a clear, coherent plan to fundamentally tackle these issues going forward.

“One of the biggest issues is the lack of provision of additional social housing stock and the SNP government has backpedalled on commitments to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme.

“The crisis facing the housing sector is yet another example of the SNP’s catalogue of failures and lack of strategy and their Programme for Government just another rehashing of the same failed rhetoric.”

'Our home was a cash cow'

A first-hand account from the Advertiser's chief reporter, Tristan Stewart-Robertson.

The day before the Covid-era rent and eviction limits were lifted, our landlord emailed to say she was putting our rent up by 45 per cent.

It was a day too early and we pointed out there was a limit of 12 per cent on rent increases - and included the Scottish Government website link to point that out.

"Well done for finding that link," they replied. 

But because we didn't accept the rise, our lease was terminated.

We had known this was coming for months after first suggestions the flat was needed for the landlord's son. 

Less than a month after we moved out, the flat was on the market and quickly rented for 96 per cent more than we paid.

The landlord had openly denounced the SNP and Scottish Government for putting in rent controls during Covid. Now they have defeated both by evicting so as to double rent.

Self-identified landlords lobby very loudly online - and with nearly identical phrases - that any rules or restrictions would remove property supply and then nobody could rent.

This is unlikely to ever happen with estate agents pushing "buy to let" opportunities. 

We offered to buy our previous home but that was declined because our home was a cash cow. And now double the cash cow.

Even if rent controls came in now, the damage in that particular flat is done. The massive inflation in rental prices will keep going up, even if the government could slow them.