Political Chaos is perfect time to ditch rent controls - housing bodies

The political chaos in Scotland presents sensible politicians with an ideal chance to resent housing policies and ditch rent controls.

That’s the view of housing bodies which have commented on the end of the power-sharing deal between the Scottish National Party and the Green Party.

The political row comes to a head this week with a confidence vote in First Minister Humza Yousaf.

Now Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, says: “This must be taken as an opportunity to reset and rethink key housing policy at a time when rents are rising, there is uncertainty for agents and their landlords, local authorities are declaring housing emergencies and there is not enough property for people to rent across Scotland. 

“Tax burdens on home buyers and those looking to purchase buy to let property must be reduced and any plans for minimum energy efficiency standards for homes must be realistic, achievable and provide funding incentives through grants and clear advice to help people improve their homes and property. 

“The Cost of Living legislation that introduced rent caps has damaged investment in Scotland, reduced available property to rent and caused rents to rise. 

“We urge the First Minister to take this opportunity to rethink future plans for rent control and introduce measures that increase the supply of homes across Scotland that will ultimately make renting and buying a home more affordable.”

And the Scottish Association of Landlords chief executive John Blackwood says: “The [SNP-Green deal] has systematically damaged investor confidence in building new homes and has forced many landlords to sell up, with institutional investors openly saying they no longer see Scotland as an attractive place to invest.   

"The Scottish government must now act urgently to reverse their anti-landlord policies.  

“We need a coordinated solution which encourages investment in social housing, council housing, the private rented sector and new owner-occupied homes.”