Letting agents and landlords north of the border have warned that rent controls ‘will backfire’ as they prepare to gather in Edinburgh for the annual Scottish Letting Day conference.
The Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL), the body representing Scotland’s landlords and letting agents, issued the warning ahead of the conference, the largest in Scotland.
This year, Scottish Letting Day is being held at the home of Scottish Rugby, Edinburgh’s Scottish Gas Murrayfield on 19 November.
SAL chief executive, John Blackwood welcomed the recent amendments to the Housing Bill, which contains the proposals, but has cautioned that the legislation will punish landlords for doing the right thing.
John highlighted that the ban on raising rents between tenancies will mean that landlords who keep rents low to help tenants in difficulty will be punished.
With the Housing Minister, Paul McLennan MSP, expected to take part in a Q&A session at conference, attendees will be watching closely for any reassurance he can provide to Scotland’s private rented sector.
Blackwood, said: “Our annual conference is a chance for our sector to get together, connect, and share best practice.
“Conference also allows us to share our concerns about the hostility we have faced, evident in proposals like rent controls and a ban on raising rents between tenancies.
“We know that such controls will backfire, forcing landlords out of the sector and pushing rents up and supply down.
“We pride ourselves on providing good quality, flexible homes that suit our tenants’ needs and we look forward to hearing from the minister about how the Scottish government plans to support us in doing so.”