The Scottish Greens have pledged to stop “eye-watering rent hikes” by enforcing controls across Scotland within 12 months.
The party has said it will work with every council to ensure the guidance and funding they need is available to use their powers to enforce rent control “as soon as possible”.
Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay said: “All over Scotland rents are shooting up at inflation-busting rates, stretching households and families to their limits.
“When our Parliament supported rent controls it was an important step in tackling the housing emergency, but those rent controls are only going to help people if councils are implementing them in the first place.
“That’s why we will work with every council to ensure that they get the guidance and funding that they need to use their powers as soon as possible.”
Scottish Green MSPs delivered rent control powers for councils as part of the Housing Bill.
This means that if a council designates part of its area as a rent control zone then private rents cannot increase beyond 1% above inflation or a maximum of 6%.
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 also gives Scottish ministers the power to bring forward regulations allowing the First-tier Tribunal to require landlords to pay a penalty or compensation where they have not complied with the rent cap.
Ms Mackay continued: “We will put a halt to the eye-watering rent hikes we’re seeing and stop rogue landlords from cashing in on a broken market.
“Homes are for living and not for profiteering. We will work with councils to drive down the cost of living and end the exploitation of renters.
“The best way to demand better housing and a better deal for renters is to use your peach-coloured regional ballot to vote for the Scottish Greens on Thursday.”