Letting agents and landlords across Scotland will welcome the end of temporary rent adjudication measures which expired yesterday (31 March 2025).
The move marks a return to standard rent assessment procedures, following two years of emergency controls introduced to protect tenants during the cost-of-living crisis.
The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 initially introduced a rent cap, eviction restrictions and rent review measures to shield tenants from financial pressures.
While the main provisions of the Act ended on 31 March 2024, some restrictions on rent increases were extended through the Rent Adjudication (Temporary Modifications) (Scotland) Regulations 2024. These temporary controls will now conclude in March next year, removing restrictions on how landlords adjust rent levels.
RENTAL INFLATION
Scotland has experienced significant rental inflation in recent years. Data from the Office for National Statistics recorded an 11.7% annual rent rise in August 2023, driven largely by increased costs for new lets.
With temporary rent adjudication measures ending, landlords will once again be able to review rents under standard legal procedures.
From today (1 April 2025) landlords of tenancies that began on or after 1 December 2017 will be permitted to increase rents only once every 12 months. They must use a prescribed form and provide tenants with a three-month notice period.
If a tenant believes the proposed rent is excessive, they will have 21 days to challenge it by applying to Rent Service Scotland, which will determine a fair market rent. The adjudication could result in a rent decision that is higher, lower, or equal to the landlord’s proposed increase.
RIGHT TO APPEAL
Both tenants and landlords will have the right to appeal within 14 days of receiving Rent Service Scotland’s determination. If challenged, the case will return to a rent officer, who will issue a final order. A further appeal can be made to the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber) within 14 days of the final ruling.
Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, says: “Letting agents and their landlords across Scotland will welcome the end of the rent adjudication measures implemented by the Scottish Government.
“Importantly, there will be no immediate replacement for temporary rent controls, and it will be back to standard rules for rent adjudication from 1 April 2025.
“Restrictive measures on rent control have caused rents to rise and stalled investment across Scotland. It’s now vital that policymakers learn the lessons and do not repeat the mistakes of restricting rents that put up costs for tenants over the long run.”
