Something about Mary: Striker inspires tenant protection call

Nearly half of the people made homeless due to rent arrears were living in private flats or houses, according to Labour. The party revealed the figures yesterday and called for “Mary Barbour law”, named after the Red Clydesider who led opposition to rent rises in Glasgow in 1915, to protect tenants. The private-rented sector only accounts for 15% of Scotland’s housing stock but it was the source of 46% of homelessness applications where people had been kicked out of their home due to rent arrears. Last week it was revealed Scottish councils have paid out more than £600 million on housing homeless folk in temporary accommodation – including B&Bs, hotels and hostels – in just five years. Scottish Labour’s housing spokeswoman Pauline McNeill said: “Despite only accounting for 15% of Scotland’s housing stock, almost half of homelessness applications due to rent arrears are being made to those in debt to private landlords. “It is now time for the SNP Government to establish why this is happening and act to protect tenants from exorbitant rents.” Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said tenancies have been modernised for those in the private rental sector with open-ended tenancies where tenants cannot be evicted simply because their agreement has reached its end date.

Nearly half of those made homeless live in private flats Mary Barbour led opposition to rent rises in 1915