This week, the Scottish Parliament passed the Housing Act, marking a historic turning point in the fight for housing justice and finally reintroducing rent controls 40 years after Margaret Thatcher scrapped them.

This legislation didn’t come easily. It’s the product of years of organising by tenants, campaigning by charities like Shelter and crisis and groups like Living Rent, and a strong push by Scottish Green MSPs during our time in government.

During my time as Minister for Tenants’ Rights, we introduced emergency legislation during the cost of living crisis to freeze rents and to bring in much stronger protections for evictions. Since these powers expired, the Greens have been adamant that renters need much stronger protections that are, most importantly, permanent.

Now that it’s law, it’s time for local authorities to step up — and Glasgow City Council has the opportunity to lead the way.

Under the new legislation, councils must keep checking the rent levels in their area, and this will lead to rent........

© Evening Times