CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed a public consultation on a new deal for tenants in Scotland including rent controls and energy efficiency standards. 

Shelter Scotland said that ongoing talks about an overhaul of the rented sector north of the border is an opportunity to mend a system which is currently failing thousands across the country.

A public consultation was launched today into the proposals, which include a Scotland-wide system of rent controls for private rentals and minimum standards for energy efficiency. 

As part of the consultation, which closes in April, the SNP-Green government has also proposed increasing penalties for illegal evictions and stronger enforcement, restricting evictions during winter, giving tenants greater flexibility to personalise their homes and keep pets and introducing a new housing standard.

The 108-page New Deal for Tenants has also proposed setting up a private rented sector regulator, which it said would help uphold standards and ensure the system is fair for both landlords and tenants.

Shelter Scotland director Alison Watson said that it was an “ambitious strategy” which offered the chance to “mend many aspects of a housing system that is currently failing thousands.”

“Shelter Scotland has long called for tenants’ rights and protections, in both the social and private sectors, to be strengthened to make sure no-one can be denied their right to a home,” she said.

“Too many renters aren’t aware of their rights or don’t feel confident in enforcing them and that needs to change.”

Living Rent said that the government urgently needs to bring forward rent controls to tackle the affordability crisis, and introduce regulations to give greater protections to tenants. 

It said: “Any strategy that fails to deliver these ambitions will leave tenants to face another five years of housing crisis.”