Five times more rental property is being sold rather than bought in Scotland, where a series of rental reforms are in place, amid warnings that there will be the same level of disinvestment in England and Wales.

These include tax changes and the abolition of the ‘no ground’ ability of the landlord to reclaim possession of the property.

Findings from the National Landlords Association show that almost a quarter (24%) of landlords with property in Scotland have sold over the last three months, with just 5% having bought in the same period.

The data relates to property transactions between April-June this year, four months after the Scottish Private Residential Tenancy was introduced last December.

This new model means tenancies are open ended, and tenants cannot be asked to leave after being in the property for six months. Landlords must give at least 84 days notice to quit after this period.

The new model also restricts rent rises.

The Scottish Government says the reforms provide security, stability and predictability for tenants, as well as appropriate safeguards for landlords, lenders and investors.

However, the NLA is warning that the news, which comes during festival season in Edinburgh, could affect up to 45,000 landlords or approximately 6,000 rental properties.

During the Edinburgh Festival, student landlords traditionally let their properties to performers and visitors. The NLA says this will no longer be the case.

Richard Lambert, CEO at the NLA, said: “The Scottish Private Residential Tenancy system removes the flexibility of the sector to meet the varied needs of an ever-changing population of renters, in particular students and those who only seek short-term tenancies, such as during the Edinburgh Festival.

“Because student landlords now have to provide indefinite tenancies, they won’t be able to advertise their properties for the Festival, as they won’t know for certain if they will be free and available.

“If this sets a trend, and artists struggle to find short-term accommodation, the 2018 Edinburgh Festival could be the last to offer such a variety of talent.”

The NLA says that the level of disinvestment in rented property is a concern for the Scottish Government, and has urged the UK Parliament to pay close attention as it currently consults on similar proposals for rental reforms in England and Wales.

Lambert added: “The last quarter has seen the highest proportion of landlords selling properties in Scotland in any three-month period since the Government first announced their tenancy reforms in 2016.

“We warned these changes would unnerve investors in private rented homes in Scotland, and it should serve as a clear sign of what to expect if similar reforms are introduced elsewhere in the UK.”