Lets Talk with John Blackwood and Timothy Douglas

February 1, 2023

Lets Talk

Episode 66 of Lets Talk features Chief Executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords, John Blackwood, and Head of Policy and Campaigns of Propertymark, Timothy Douglas, discussing the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 which introduced a rent freeze in social and private rented housing and a moratorium on evictions.

Following the announcement of the emergency cost of living legislation, both organisations were inundated with concerns from landlords and agents alike regarding the repercussions of an immediate rent freeze and eviction ban. More recently, the Scottish Government announced that from April 2023 the freeze would be lifted on the social rented sector while the private rented sector will be capped at 3%.

Host, Gillian Semmler, asks Timothy and John about their own reactions to the legislation and whether they felt they had been sufficiently consulted compared to the emergency Covid legislation. They also discuss whether a fair balance has actually been achieved for both tenant and landlord and what protections have been created to assist the landlord with any increased property costs.

The Act also introduced an additional three grounds for possession of a property, which the guests explain and discuss in detail.

Unintended consequences for tenants

Gillian asks Timothy and John whether they think the Government’s good intentions for tenants will actually exacerbate rising rent levels and shortage of residential rental properties due to landlords either exiting the market or setting new tenancy rent levels at full market rate to try and ensure their costs are covered as best they can.

Whilst the Scottish Government introduced the rent freeze, the Welsh Government rejected it in the fear that landlords would leave the market on mass. Timothy and John discuss whether this is a real concern for Scotland.

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures so SAL and Propertymark, plus Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) have formed a coalition in response to this legislation and lodged a petition to the Court of Session in Edinburgh. Gillian asks her guests about this and for an update on their progress.