Dramatic reform likely for rental sector in Scotland - warning

There was much publicity this week for the efforts of the Welsh Government to deter the letting of second homes.

Now it appears Scotland may be about to do something similar.

Jennifer Campbell is head of estate agency  in DM Hall Baird Lumsden, part of DM Hall Chartered Surveyors.

She says the Scottish Government’s’Housing to 2040 Route Map’ contains proposals that mean - in her words - “the writing is on the wall now for a dramatic alteration to the private housing sector in Scotland which will likely affect everyone.”

She adds it is likely that each local authority may have the power to say who can have a second home and where, with the Route Map explicitly stating: “We will give all local authorities powers to manage the numbers of second homes where they see this as a problem in their area. And we will establish a new fund for local authorities to apply to in order to bring empty homes and potential empty homes back into residential use.

“We will provide tools and powers for local authorities to make best use of existing housing stock, including long and short-term empty homes and voids, second homes, short-term lets and student accommodation.”

And she notes that Scotland’s Private Residential Tenancy system is under review currently, with more changes likely to come as soon as September: “We will improve accessibility, affordability and standards across the whole rented sector, publishing a new Rented Sector Strategy, informed by tenants, and bringing forward a new Housing Bill early in the next Parliament to strengthen tenants' rights.” 

Campbell herself warns: “The proposals in Scotland are encouraging many to leave the private rental sector.”