Fact Sheet: Discrimination in the rental market (Scotland)

Rent pressures are real, but controlling the price of a scarce product does not create more of it. Rent controls can protect some tenants in the short term, but they do not address the shortage of homes that drives high rents. They can also weaken investment, reduce the number of properties available and make it harder for people seeking a new tenancy to find a suitable home. Evidence from schemes implemented around the world backs Propertymark’s opposition to rent controls and work to challenge and reshape the policy in Scotland.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first days in office have brought several announcements and appointments with implications for the property sector. Angela Rayner has returned as Housing Secretary, rent controls have been ruled out for England, targeted business rates support has been announced, and Burnham has confirmed that Stamp Duty will not change at the Autumn Budget.

More than 834,000 homes have left the UK private rented sector over the past decade, but a rise in new listings—driven partly by Build to Rent—means that rental supply is currently at its highest level for seven years. Professional agents play a crucial role in helping landlords understand their obligations, adapt to regulatory change, and operate successfully. Supporting responsible landlords to remain in the market is vital if tenants are to have access to an adequate choice of safe, affordable, and suitable homes.

Property auctions can offer speed, certainty and access to properties that may not be available through the traditional sales market. However, analysis of complaint data from The Property Ombudsman (TPO) shows that consumer understanding cannot be left to chance. The findings suggest that consumers are entering the process without appreciating the risks, timescales, fees, or the point at which they become legally or financially committed.