Scottish Land & Estates has issued a warning about effects the passing of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill will have on landlords. They are deeply concerned that the right balance between the needs of landlords and tenants has not been struck.
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“We have witnessed a real missed opportunity to create a tenancy which not only closes the opportunity for unscrupulous evictions but also incentivises lawful landlords to continue to offer tenants quality homes at affordable rents,” says Katy Dickson, Policy Officer at Scottish Land & Estates.
Stage 2 and 3 of the Bill have Failed Landlords
She says the first stage of the Bill struck a reasonable balance, but by the time the second and third stages were ushered through the Scottish Parliament, numerous amendments were lodged that meant landlord safeguards have been disregarded.
Scottish Landlords Unfairly Treated
Dickson points out that Scottish landlords who want to repossess a property if it is needed for a new employee, will not be able to. There is also a complete disregard for agricultural tenancies and how they can be legally let. These issues could affect the supply of rural rental housing and put the rural economy at risk.
“We now look to the formation of secondary legislation before the new tenancy is introduced in late 2017. We will work with the Housing Minister in the next parliamentary session and aim to help them form the regulation and minimise the damaging impact of this rushed Bill on both rural businesses and the private rental sector in general.”