Emergency Rent Freeze

That the Parliament notes the publication of the Scottish Government’s Private Sector Rent Statistics 2010 to 2021, which reportedly show that the average monthly rent for a two bedroom property rose in real terms by 6.8% in Ayrshire and 7.1% in West Dunbartonshire over the last year; further notes that the average monthly rent for a two bedroom property reportedly rose by 25.1% across Scotland between 2010 and 2021; notes the publication of analysis by the estate and letting agent, Hamptons, which reportedly found that the average private renter’s household in Scotland spent 32% of post-tax income on rent in 2021; considers that these price rises are unsustainable for renters in Scotland, in light of the reported cost of living crisis and the UK Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate reportedly being 8.5%, which it understands is the highest recorded rate since this historical modelled data series began in 1989; notes with concern reports that the number of people living in poverty who live in the private rented sector has tripled over the last decade, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation; notes the calls for a Scottish Living Rent Commission to be set up to regulate the sector; believes that spiralling rent costs, bill costs and price rises mean that renters cannot afford to wait until 2025 for a system of rent controls to be implemented, as set out in the consultation, A New Deal for Tenants - draft strategy, and notes the view that an emergency rent freeze for all public and private sector renters should be implemented for a determined period.