With the Housing (Scotland) Bill passing through stage one in Holyrood last week, Propertymark has spoken out against the rent control measures contained in the bill.

Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns, said: “Rent controls are not the answer to tackle the housing emergency in Scotland. Increasing the supply of homes to rent, reducing landlord costs and removing the tax burden to buy a property to let will make renting more affordable for tenants.

“Furthermore, the proposals and details for rent control areas in the bill are limited at best, and offer no clarity for existing agents working with landlords or for new would-be landlords thinking of entering the sector.

“Significant amendments to the legislation are needed if the Scottish Government wants to raise property standards and make renting more affordable. This must include removing the application of rent control measures between tenancies in order to allow upgrades such as redecorating, replacing furniture, or installing energy-efficient measures to take place.”

Echoing Propertymark’s briefing to MSPs before the debate in the Scottish Parliament, Meghan Gallacher, Conservative MSP, called on the housing minister, Paul McLennan, to admit that the Scottish Government’s rent control policy has driven up rents, priced thousands of Scots out of their homes, and resulted in the loss of thousands of private rented houses and flats.