The Scottish Government is being urged to introduce an emergency rent freeze on all public and private sector tenants in an attempt to help struggling families with the cost of living crisis.
Under current plans a system of controls on rental properties could be introduced in 2025, however a Labour MSP is calling for one to be put in place immediately.
The call from Katy Clark comes after National Insurance increased by 1.24 per cent today which comes on the back of the rise in the energy price cap at the end of last week.
Millions of families are now paying hundreds of pounds more for their electricity and gas following the hike.
According to the Scottish Government's rent stats, which cover the last 11 years from 2010 to 2021, average monthly rent for a two-bedroom property has increased by 25.1 per cent in that time.
In a bid to help those hardest hit Clark has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament and said tenants "cannot wait until 2025" for rent controls to be brought in.
The West Scotland regional MSP added: " Rents have spiked dramatically in recent years and are now being hiked yet again at the worst possible time. Tenants cannot wait until 2025 for rent controls.
"The average person renting is now spending a disproportionate amount of income on rent.
"The UK Government is clearly not doing enough on cost of living, but housing and rental law are devolved. The Scottish Government therefore urgently needs to act.
"My motion calls for an emergency rent freeze and sets out why this is vital given the challenges so many are facing."
Tenants’ Rights Minister Patrick Harvie said: "I know that many tenants are struggling financially and much more needs done to tackle housing costs.
"Before Christmas I launched our New Deal for Tenants consultation which proposes a whole range of reforms – from better protection against eviction to more rights to personalise tenants’ homes and higher quality standards. I’d urge tenants to give their views on the consultation before it closes on 15 April.
"The New Deal also sets out our commitment to introduce new rent controls for private tenants – more than any government in the UK has done for more than three decades.
"The most recent debate in parliament showed a clear majority of MSPs in favour of rent controls but also recognition that any arrangements have to be robust for the long term.
"That is why I am determined to push forward as fast as we can and to produce controls which provide lasting benefit to tenants."
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