The Scottish Association of Landlords calls upon the Scottish Government and MSPs to reflect upon the importance of the Private Rented Sector (PRS) to local economies and Scottish society as they consider changes to the tenancy regime between landlords and tenants.

- 330,000 people currently rely on the PRS in Scotland, a large number of them for reasons of cost, location and flexibility related to the changing nature of the job market.

- Investment in the PRS will play a major part in tackling the systemic housing shortage in Scotland, along with the need to increase the availability of social housing and the construction of more privately owned homes.

- The majority of letting agents and landlords are small businesses employing significant number of local people throughout Scotland. Furthermore, the PRS in Scotland requires the on-going employment of local trades businesses such as electricians, builders, plumbers and heating engineers.

- Those involved in the PRS are always looking to increase standards and the level of service for tenants. Landlords and tenants alike want to drive out the rogue players, who damage the reputation of the overwhelming majority, and all would welcome additional measures from government to help.

- Landlords and letting agents wish to retain the right for both the landlord and the tenant to choose to end the tenancy by giving the appropriate required notice. This measure also provides protection for neighbours impacted by tenants disrupting local communities with their
anti-social behaviour.

- The industry agrees that rent reviews should take place no more than once a year to ensure that tenants are not subject to unreasonable or unexpected rises. The industry supports the view that there is no need for any kind of rent control in Scotland, recognising that rents have generally not increased in Scotland and, in real terms, have actually fallen over recent years. Any rent capping would distort the market in different parts of the country and simultaneously discourage much needed investment in new housing which provides a sustainable solution to addressing a lack of supply in some areas.