TENANTS would be protected by a new housing watchdog with the power to punish rogue landlords and set rent levels, under a Scottish Green plan for the next parliament.

With polls putting the party on course for its best ever result at Holyrood, Green co-convener Maggie Chapman yesterday said she would introduce a member’s bill on housing if elected.

If passed, the bill would establish a Housing and Tenants’ Rights Commissioner to protect tenants, much as the Children and Young People’s Commissioner protects children’s rights.

The Commissioner would work with tenants, council, housing associations and private sector landlords to develop a “charter of rights for tenants”, Chapman said.

The Commissioner would also enforce current housing law and develop new law to promote better conditions for houses in multiple occupation, regulate letting agencies, accredit landlords and determine rent levels.

The office holder would also oversee the building of the 60,000 social rented homes proposed by the Scottish Greens in their manifesto.

Chapman said: “People are being priced out of decent accommodation because rents are too high and ‘affordable housing’ is not actually affordable for most. We need a co-ordinated approach to deliver high quality, well-insulated and truly affordable homes, and better protection for tenants.”