Falkirk landlord warns emergency legislation to protect tenants is causing housing shortage

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Falkirk landlord has warned that Scottish Government legislation designed to control rents is instead causing private landlords to sell up, leading to a shortage of properties and soaring rents.

Rents in Falkirk have shot up by around 40 per cent in the last three years, and more and more people are finding themselves homeless or in unsuitable accommodation.

The Scottish Government 's Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Scotland act is temporary legislation that was introduced last April "to protect tenants in response to exceptional economic circumstances". Read more: Cost of Falkirk taxis at Christmas could rise to attract more drivers over festive period It means private landlords cannot raise rents for sitting tenants by more three per cent - or six per cent if they can prove that hardship is being caused.The legislation is reviewed every six months and it is expected to be renewed in September until March 2024.But David Aiton, founder of the Falkirk Landord Alliance and owner of Sinclair Services, which manages rental properties in Forth Valley, says the act is making landlords think twice about investing in areas like Falkirk - which he says is "disastrous" for private tenants too.Mr Aiton said: "It is forcing landlords to sell their properties and invest elsewhere.

One of our primary landlord clients has reduced his portfolio from 48 to 35 properties, all because of the hostile nature of the legislation."In Falkirk, the number of registered private landlords has reduced from a peak of over 5000 to 4700 in recent months."As a consequence, the number of affordable private rental properties in Falkirk and elsewhere is being considerably reduced."We are getting calls on a daily basis from desperate home seekers.