Scottish housing minister Paul McLennan has spoken out in favour of landlords, insisting they are working people with every right to make a return on their investment.

The minister outlined his position during a question-and-answer session at Scottish Letting Day, the annual conference of the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL).

McLennan’s comments came as the latest sign of a change in Scottish Government thinking towards the private rented sector since the end of the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens.

McLennan’s assertion clashes with that of UK prime minister Keir Starmer, who said his government does not consider landlords to be “working people” during the recent Budget. 

The statements came as McLennan sat down with SAL chief executive, John Blackwood, to discuss topics including rent controls and the legacy of the Bute House Agreement. 

The minister has previously claimed that he wants to “reset” the relationship with Scotland’s PRS and has told landlords that they have a key role to play in solving Scotland’s housing crisis.

Blackwood said: “Scottish Letting Day 2024 was a huge success, and it was wonderful to have the housing minister speak directly to us. 

“We were relieved to hear that the Scottish Government considers landlords to be working people and that we have the right to make a return on our investments, signalling that the government has moved on from the days of the Bute House Agreement.”