Government proposals for rent controls in Scotland have received a firm thumbs-down.

The Scottish Government has just published its analysis of responses to a second consultation on the private rented sector.

Its question on rent controls had the highest number of responses of all questions in the consultation.

Most respondents (70%) disagreed with the principle of rent controls, with a broad consensus that the sector should remain market led.

Of the 36 individual letting agents who responded to the consultation, 35 rejected rent controls and one had a mixed view.

Those who did think rent controls a good idea – including supporters of the Living Rent petition – felt that local councils should be able to implement special local measures when housing costs are more than one-third of tenants’ incomes.

The second consultation on the private rented sector comes ahead of a new Housing Bill to be introduced into the Scottish parliament this autumn.

While rent controls will not be a part of that legislation, the consultation had floated the idea of further legislation that would introduce them.

The Scottish Government had proposed to limit rent increases for sitting tenants in “hot spot” areas.

The lengthy document analyses the views of 7,689 respondents.

They were responding to 26 questions, including grounds for possession. The Scottish Government has already decided to abolish the “no fault” ground.