Scottish housing bill faces criticism as rent control warnings ignored

An industry body is “disappointed” over a lack of changes to the Scottish Housing Bill.

Propertymark has criticised the Scottish government for not taking on board amendments suggested by various industry groups including the impact rent controls could have on the private rented sector.

The Bill contains a package of policy reforms including introducing rent controls and a tenant’s right to keep pets.

Overwhelming criticism of rent controls has been ignored

Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, says the Scottish government has ignored warnings from the private rented sector about the dangers of rent controls.

He said: “Unfortunately, the Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment summary for the Housing (Scotland) Bill identifies significant shortcomings in the Scottish government’s approach to engage with the sector.

“While we recognise the Scottish government’s term policy is to ensure a fairer private rented sector, it is disappointing and somewhat surprising to see that the sector’s overwhelming criticism of rent controls has been ignored, especially considering the substantial engagement Propertymark and the wider sector has had with MSP and Scottish government officials.

“At a time when the PRS faces considerable pressures and Scotland faces rising homelessness levels, the Scottish government must listen to the sector to prevent a further reduction in the availability of private rented homes for tenants.”

People on lower incomes more at risk of being unlawfully evicted

In the assessment findings, the Scottish government suggests that those on lower incomes may be more likely to be at risk of being unlawfully evicted.

The Scottish government claims the measures in the Bill will help to make it easier and more attractive for tenants to challenge an unlawful eviction and receive compensation where an unlawful eviction is found to have occurred.

The Scottish government also say they will continue to engage with the private rented sector to design the details of how rent controls will be implemented.