What rent freeze rules are currently in place in Scotland? 

Since 6 September 2022, the rent freeze rules were introduced in Scotland, and they are expected to continue until 31 March 2023. The rent freeze applies to both the private and social housing sectors in Scotland.  

What is changing from 1 April 2023? 

The Scottish government has confirmed that from 1 April 2023 until 30 September 2023, a new rent cap of 3% or up to 6% for prescribed costs will apply to the private rented sector. The eviction restrictions will also remain in place. Prescribed costs refer to: 

– interest payable in respect of a mortgage or standard security relating to the let property 

-a premium payable in respect of insurance relating to the let property and the offering of the property for let, 

– service charges relating to the let property that are paid for by the property owner but the payment of which the tenant is responsible for (in whole or in part) in accordance with the terms of the tenancy. 

The Scottish government aims to keep rent increases below inflation. 

Will there be a rent freeze in England? 

In England, Labour-party mayor, Sadiq Khan, is considering the introduction of rent caps and ban on evictions since the cost-of-living crisis.  

In the Conservative governments’ white paper (A Fairer Private Rented Sector), the government stated that it “does not support the introduction of rent controls to set the level of rent at the outset of a tenancy.” 

The government has offered tenants some support during the cost-of-living crisis including £400 to support with energy bills. This means that a rent freeze is unlikely in England under the current Conservative government. 

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