The Housing (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 30 September 2025, marking one of the most substantial reforms to Scotland’s rental housing system in years.
The Bill now awaits Royal Assent before becoming law, at which point it will be known as the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025. Many of its key measures — including new repair standards, enhanced tenant protections and rent controls — will still require secondary legislation, meaning most changes are unlikely to come into force until 2026 or even 2027.
Tougher Repair and Maintenance Standards
The Bill strengthens Scotland’s Repairing Standard, introducing new requirements such as Awaab’s Law. This obliges landlords to respond quickly to issues like damp and mould.
It also gives tenants the right to seek compensation where a landlord has clearly failed to meet their repairing duties, reinforcing the wider goal of making homes safer, healthier and better maintained.
Rent Controls
The creation of Rent Control Areas (RCAs) — designated zones where annual rent increases will be limited to CPI + 1%, capped at a maximum of 6% per year.
Local authorities will be able to introduce RCAs based on local market pressures. However, none of these controls will be implemented before 2027, as they depend on further secondary legislation and detailed guidance still to be developed. Note there are a few exemptions.
Evictions and Tenant Rights
A new “reasonableness” test will now apply to all tenancy types, including Private Residential Tenancies. When considering an eviction, tribunals will assess whether granting immediate possession would cause financial hardship, affect health, or create challenges linked to disability or terminal illness — for either the tenant or the landlord.
Summary
In essence, the Housing (Scotland) Bill provides a pathway toward greater stability., clarity and fairness. The Bill introduces rent‑control powers, but with a long lead‑in period. It also formalises what most professional landlords already do: provide safe, compliant, energy‑efficient properties. For responsible landlords, it largely means business as usual, with the added reassurance of a more consistent regulatory framework.