THE Scottish government has once again come under fire for “failing tenants” after watering down rent control plans.

SNP housing minister Paul McLennan sparked outcry from housing campaigners last month when he told MSPs plans to include rent controls in long-awaited housing Bill had been loosened.

He told Holyrood that rent increases of 1 per cent above CPI inflation up to a maximum of 6 per cent a year would be allowable as the government pursued a “balanced approach that provides appropriate protection for the property rights of landlords.”

Holyrood’s cross-party local government, housing and planning committee has published a report fully backing rent controls across Scotland.

Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman urged the SNP to abandon its “rent stabilisation” plans.

She said: “The SNP must not cave in to the landlord lobby and introduce legislation that would impose above-inflation rent hikes.

“If they do so they will be failing tenants. Rent controls in the private rented sector are vital.

“Rent stabilisation won’t protect tenants if it locks them into ever- increasing costs.

“We need a system that supports homes for living in, not for profiteering.”