Scottish rent control plan freezing out landlords

The Scottish government’s “anti-landlord rhetoric” is reportedly pushing property owners out of the rental market. The Scottish government recently pledged to introduce nationwide rent controls and restrictions on winter evictions as part of its power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens. John Blackwood, chief executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords, said that some members had since reported a decline of up to 80% in available accommodation. “There is a range of reasons, but the main one we are hearing from our landlords and their letting agent members is that they are deciding to sell up and leave the sector,” he said. “Largely because they are concerned about the anti-landlord rhetoric that has come from the Scottish government.” The Times (£)