Citizens Advice Scotland has reported a sharp increase in the number of people coming to it seeking help over private renting problems.

A total of 6,230 cases were logged last year compared with 5,054 the year before – a rise of 23%.

Frequent complaints were to do with landlords failing to meet their legal responsibilities, refusing to do basic repairs, and intimidating their tenants.

Citizens Advice Scotland housing spokesperson Patrick Hogan said: “The figures we are publishing today are a shocking insight into the worst corners of the private rented sector in Scotland.

“While most private landlords are responsible and doing right by their tenants, our evidence shows there are far too many who are not.

“In today’s economy many Scots can’t afford to buy their own home, and yet there is not enough affordable social housing for rent.

“So many find themselves in the private rented sector – often paying higher rents than they can easily afford.

“This makes it more important than ever that standards are maintained at an acceptable level.

“Yet Scotland’s CAB advisers are seeing 24 cases every working day where lousy landlords are letting their tenants down.

“The specific case evidence is even more shocking. We regularly see incidents of poor quality housing, dampness and condensation, poor electrical wiring and unsafe appliances not being repaired, with landlords too often responding to complaints by harassing, threatening and bullying.

“In publishing this evidence, we are calling on local authorities and the Scottish Government to redouble their efforts to monitor the private rented sector and crack down on those who are giving it a bad name.”