The Scottish Government is facing repeated warnings of consequences to the private rented sector if it goes ahead with new legislation this autumn.
A new standard tenancy will be brought in, the Scottish Property Residential Tenancy, which will not have a ‘no fault’ ground for repossessing a property after a lease has ended.
A final consultation closed last month, seeking views on intervention in the setting of rents.
Agents Rettie have issued a new bulletin on the Scottish housing market, warning of widescale disinvestment by landlords if the measures go ahead.
The firm quotes a survey by Scottish lettings portal Citylets, which found that nearly a third of landlords would reduce their portfolios or leave the sector entirely if the ‘no fault’ ground for possession is introduced.
The figure increases to 39% when landlords were asked how they would respond to the introduction of rent controls.
Rettie said that many landlords could be driven away from the sector, limiting tenants’ choice.
Comments (2)
The individual and organisational responses to the first consultation were overwhelming against removal of the “no fault clause”, one can but hope the grounds for repossession as developed post second consultation provide a fair playing field for landlords.
The concept of having reasonable freedom to make your own decisions is something that one would think the Scottish Government understand!