Scottish councils must engage with letting agents and landlords if radical rental reforms have any chance of working.

Propertymark argues that the Scottish Government’s ‘New Deal for Tenants’ – which includes rent controls – and additional legislation on energy efficiency must be talked through with agents and landlords.

According to a Freedom of Information request submitted by Propertymark, 67 per cent of local authorities in Scotland have not had a landlord forum since 2021.   

The purpose of landlord forums is for local authorities to engage with landlords and property agents about new legislation, share best practice and to receive feedback on national and local issues impacting the private rental sector.   

In January, Propertymark wrote to Paul McLennan – Scottish Minister for Housing – to stress that the Scottish Government should encourage local authorities to hold more landlord forums and to provide them with the necessary resources to do so.  

Propertymark emphasised it was important for the Scottish Housing Minister to do so because of the legislation the Scottish Government is imposing on the private rental sector.

Back in 2021 Shona Robinson – then the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government – published the Scottish Government’s Housing to 2040 strategy.  

Its vision is to ensure that everyone living in Scotland would have access to a safe, warm, affordable, high quality and energy efficient home that meets everyone’s needs.  

On 29 September 2023, the Scottish Government published their consultation A New Deal for Tenants: Rented Sector Reform Proposals for the private and social rented sectors.  

Some of the measures contained in the consultation paper include ending joint tenancies; allowing private tenants to personalise properties; a statutory provision allowing pets to be kept in properties; unclaimed deposits to be transferred to the Scottish Government; greater protections during evictions; and changes to rent control.  

Tim Thomas, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Propertymark, says: “Propertymark member agents play a key role in ensuring that tenancies are safe and secure, so it is concerning that so many local authorities in Scotland are not currently engaging with letting agents and landlords. 

“The Scottish Government is imposing many changes to the private rented sector in Scotland so it is vital that they are providing the necessary resources to local councils so they can engage with the sector.”