Cost of living - help if you rent
There is help in place this winter to help support renters in Scotland.
The Scottish government has introduced a temporary rent freeze and ban on evictions. This means that your landlord will not be able to increase your rent or evict you until 31 March 2023 except in limited circumstances.
If you're struggling to pay your current rent you might be able to get extra help. Check if you can get help paying your rent and other bills.
The rent freeze
The temporary rent freeze means that your landlord cannot increase your rent until at least 31 March 2023 except in limited circumstances.
This freeze applies to most private, social and student tenancies.
When your landlord can increase the rent
Your landlord might be able to increase your rent by up to 3% in limited circumstances. They will have to apply to a Rent Officer for approval to do this.
They will only be able to increase your rent to cover an increase to certain costs.
These costs include mortgage payments on the property, or insurance or service charges that your landlord pays but you are responsible for.
If your rent increases on or after 6 September 2022
A rent increase notice will not apply if you got it on or after 6 September 2022.
If you live in student accommodation, a rent increase notice will not apply if you got it on or after 6 October 2022.
If you got the notice before 6 September 2022, the rent freeze does not apply to you and your rent increase will follow the normal process. Read more about what to do if your landlord wants to increase the rent.
Your landlord might still be able to increase your rent by a maximum of 3% in limited circumstances but they will have to apply to a Rent Officer to do this.
The temporary ban on evictions
The temporary ban on evictions means that your landlord cannot evict you until 31 March 2023.
This ban applies to most private, social and student tenancies.
When you can still be evicted during the temporary ban
An eviction might still happen during the eviction ban in limited circumstances.
These limited circumstances include:
- serious antisocial or criminal behaviour
- substantial rent arrears
- your landlord needing to move in or sell the property to avoid homelessness themselves
- your landlord’s mortgage lender is repossessing the property.
If you received an eviction notice on or after 6 September 2022
An eviction notice will not apply if you got it on or after 6 September 2022.
If you received court papers or your case was accepted by the tribunal before 6 September 2022, the temporary eviction ban does not apply to you and your eviction will follow the normal process. Read more about what to do if you're facing eviction.
Tenant Grant Fund
You might be able to apply for the Tenant Grant Fund to help pay rent arrears if you're at risk of eviction.
The fund was previously closed but some councils have funding left to help with the cost of living. It might be worth contacting your local council to check whether you are able to apply, even if it appears closed online.
If eligible, the local council will pay the grant directly to your landlord. You will not have to pay the money back.
You can find your council’s contact details on mygov.scot.
The grant might not cover all your rent arrears. Find out more about paying off your rent arrears.