A TENANTS union is delivering 100 postcards to the SNP, calling on the party to focus on rent controls ahead of the annual conference.
Living Rent collected messages at street stalls and outreach events across Edinburgh signed by local residents demanding the issue is central to its next manifesto.
Figures from the union show average rent costs in the city have increased by 40% between 2010 and 2017.
Living Rent is demanding nationwide rent controls based on a European-style points system that links the maximum rent a landlord can charge to the quality of the property.
READ MORE: Living Rent calls on Government to end 'parasitic approach to housing'
Catriona MacDonald, SNP candidate for Edinburgh Southern and a member of Living Rent, said: “Everyone deserves a safe, affordable, high-quality home. Rent in Edinburgh has increased by more than 45% since 2010 – far beyond inflation and far beyond what is affordable for too many people.
“We urgently need change – rent controls are a crucial step forward.”
Maddy Kirkman, for Scottish Labour in Edinburgh Central, said: “Through collective action, Living Rent members have highlighted the need for rent controls in Scotland, especially in Edinburgh and no more so than my local area of Gorgie and Dalry.
“Greater regulation is desperately needed in the private rented sector to redress the balance of power between landlords and tenants and prevent ordinary people paying a huge proportion of their income in return for shoddy accommodation.
“Living Rent’s model, which links to local affordability and the quality of housing, protects tenants’ human right to a decent home.”
The union will be delivering the postcards to the party’s headquarters in Holyrood today.
Living Rent also wants to see rents limited to a specific Rent Affordability Index for tenants in any given area.
SNP members will be gathering virtually for the party’s conference this weekend.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel