The Scottish Parliament has now passed the Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Act 2011, which aims to improve the standard of private rented housing in Scotland.
Councils should have enhanced powers to take measures against bad or unlawful practices and to improve both landlords’ and their tenants’ awareness of their rights and responsibilities.
Delinquent landlords face a fine of up to £50,000 as well as a ban on letting homes of up to five years. The use of premiums, already unlawful in terms of existing legislation, should also receive attention under the new regime.