Growing delays in Scotland’s housing tribunal are forcing landlords to leave the private rented sector, thus reducing the supply of homes available to rent, according to Aberdein Considine.

The property and legal firm said landlords it represents are typically waiting between eight and 12 months from applying for an eviction order to receiving a tribunal hearing, with legal costs reaching around £10,000 before cases are resolved.

Citing figures from the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL), Aberdein Considine said the average time between an eviction application being lodged and a tribunal decision has increased from around three months in 2019 to more than eight months in 2025.

The SAL’s data also showed tenants being evicted for rent arrears owed an average of 14.7 months’ rent by the time a decision was reached, compared with 8.7 months in 2019.

Aberdein Considine said the delays, combined with rising costs and increased regulation, were prompting many smaller landlords to sell their properties rather than remain in the sector.

Elaine Elder, dispute resolution partner at Aberdein Considine, said: “The current delays are placing enormous financial pressure on landlords who are already dealing with rising costs and increased regulation. 

“Many simply cannot afford to wait close to a year while continuing to cover mortgage payments, insurance, maintenance costs and legal fees with no rental income coming in.”

She added that many Scottish landlords owned only one or two properties as part of their retirement planning and long-term financial security, and that prolonged delays and mounting costs were leaving them with little choice but to sell.

John Blackwood, chief executive of the SAL, said: “Delays in eviction notices can seriously impact landlords’ businesses and consequently affect the supply of rented property available at any one time.

“The Scottish Government should work with landlords and tenants to speed up the process so landlords can do their jobs by providing flexible and suitable homes to those who need them.”