Propertymark shares member voices in Housing Bill forum

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, provided evidence on the Housing (Scotland) Bill to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee of the Scottish Government on 28 January 2025, highlighting significant concerns from our members and stressing the proposed measures fail to address the critical housing supply challenges.

Scotlan flag flying

Missed opportunity to solve the housing crisis 

Propertymark’s members are frustrated that, despite Scotland’s severe shortage of rental homes, the Bill focuses on rent controls rather than increasing housing supply. With Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates frozen, punitive taxes on landlords, and the Additional Dwelling Supplement now at 8%, the Scottish Government has not introduced policies to incentivise investment in the Private Rented Sector (PRS). 

Scottish Parliament Building
28 Nov 2024
A Housing (Scotland) Bill that doesn't build a single house draws strong criticism from MSPs

Rent controls raise more questions than certainty 

The Bill’s rent control measures, capping increases at CPI plus 1% (up to a maximum of 6%), were acknowledged as providing greater clarity and consistency. However, Douglas warned that rent caps must remain flexible to accommodate inflation and the rising costs of energy efficiency improvements. 

He also cautioned that restrictions on setting rents between tenancies could discourage investment, particularly in older properties that require significant capital expenditure to maintain quality standards. There is a risk of large areas of rental stock falling into disrepair, with landlords unable to cover their costs. 

Scottish Parliament Building
19 Jun 2024
Housing Bill is unworkable in its current form

Decarbonisation targets out of reach 

With a decarbonisation deadline of 2028 looming, stakeholders question whether the 6% cap would allow landlords to afford necessary upgrades, particularly in rural areas where properties are harder to retrofit. The Scottish Government must balance social and environmental goals, particularly in rural areas, to avoid undermining both. 

Scottish Parliament Building
14 Nov 2024
Ministers should not ignore Housing (Scotland) Bill report findings

Call for a pilot scheme 

To avoid unintended consequences, Douglas recommended piloting the rent control measures to test their impact and called for a full review of the taxes and costs faced by landlords.  

Propertymark has long urged policymakers in Scotland to engage with the industry to ensure legislation supports tenants and landlords. 

Propertymark campaigning 

We have consistently raised concerns about the Housing (Scotland) Bill, including its failure to incentivise new housing development. MSPs have also criticised the Bill for not delivering solutions to increase housing supply or improve the quality of existing stock. 

In our reports we highlighted that landlords and investors require continuity and consistency to maintain their role in Scotland’s housing market. Douglas reiterated this point during the evidence session, stressing the need for legislation that creates a fair balance between tenant protection and landlord sustainability. 

Our campaigning for policies that address Scotland’s housing crisis comprehensively continues we urge the Scottish Government to refocus on practical solutions that deliver more homes and better outcomes for tenants and landlords alike. 

FAQ Housing (Scotland) Bill.jpg
18 Nov 2024
FAQs: Housing (Scotland) Bill

On 26 March 2024, the Scottish Government published the Housing (Scotland) Bill. The Bill is a significant piece of legislation that will have implications for letting agents and their landlords. Here we answer some of the most frequent questions about the proposals contained in the Bill.