Mary Barbour bill consultation to be launched

Mary Barbour

Scottish Labour’s proposed plans to introduce a law to protect people renting in the private sector will be put out for public consultation within weeks.

The party’s housing spokesperson, Pauline McNeill MSP, is drawing up a Member’s Bill which will reform the private rented sector in Scotland.

The bill takes inspiration from the life of political activist and magistrate Mary Barbour, who notably organised the women of Govan in the rent strikes of 1915.

The bill will aim to:

  • Introduce a new points based system to enforce fair rents
  • Link rents to average wages to ensure they are affordable
  • Give tenants the power to challenge unfair rents or submit rent reduction claims
  • Ensure that all private rented properties meet proper standards for health and safety and energy efficiency
  • Ms McNeill said: “I have framed the proposal as a Member’s Bill and I am working with the Scottish Parliament’s Non-Governmental Bill Unit to make sure Labour can bring about the transformation in the private rental sector that is so badly needed.

    “We know that private sector rents are rising way above inflation while people’s wages and household incomes are either stagnant or falling, making housing even more expensive and pushing people further into poverty.”

    Once the bill is declared competent by the NGBU, a consultation on its terms will be launched.

    She added: “There is a housing crisis in Scotland. There is a lack of affordable public housing and so people are forced to rent privately and as a result are paying rip-off rents which stops them saving for a deposit to buy their own home.

    “Rent controls are vital to stop this happening and to give people hope that they can have secure, affordable tenancies. Only Scottish Labour has a plan for real change in the housing sector which will help the many, not the few.”

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