Laws & Regulations
What is a Rent Pressure Zone in Scotland?
A Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) is a geographic area designated by Scottish Ministers, on application from a local authority, where in-tenancy rent increases are capped by a statutory formula. RPZs were created by the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 and re-purposed by the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 and the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025.
From 1 April 2025, all of Scotland operates a unified in-tenancy increase cap: the lower of CPI + 1% or 6%, applied no more than once every 12 months, with a tenant right of appeal to a Rent Officer. Local authorities can additionally apply for a tighter RPZ designation in their area. Between-tenancy increases are not capped — landlords can re-let at market rent. See the Scottish Government rent controls policy.
What this means in practice
A Glasgow tenant on a Private Residential Tenancy paying £950 per month receives a rent increase notice on 1 May 2026 proposing £1,050 (a 10.5% rise). The cap is the lower of CPI + 1% or 6% — say 4.7% in May 2026 — so the maximum lawful increase is £950 × 1.047 = £994.65. The tenant refers to a Rent Officer, who reduces the notice to £994. The same flat re-let to a new tenant in June at £1,100 is lawful, because between-tenancy rents are uncapped.
Related questions
Does the Scottish rent cap apply to short-term lets and student halls?
No. The cap applies to Private Residential Tenancies under the 2016 Act. Short-term lets, holiday lets, and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation operating outside the PRT framework are exempt. University halls of residence and accommodation provided by the council or a registered social landlord are also outside scope — those rents are governed by separate regimes.
How does an in-tenancy rent increase notice work?
The landlord must serve a Rent Increase Notice giving at least three months' notice. The tenant then has 21 days to either accept it, negotiate, or refer it to a Rent Officer. The Rent Officer compares the proposed rent to open-market rates for similar properties in the area, applies the statutory cap, and issues a binding determination. The Scottish Government policy page details the process.
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