Scotland’s landlords and letting agents have warned that rent controls will ‘backfire’ – by driving landlords out of the sector and pushing rents up.
It could also serve to punish the landlords who want to keep their rents low.
The Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL), the body representing Scotland’s landlords and letting agents, issued the warning ahead of the annual Scottish Letting Day conference.
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.
John Blackwood, chief executive of SAL, 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.”
