Shelter Scotland conference brings together third sector organisations with landlords, letting agents and tenants to discuss the implications of new legislation
The impact of new and existing laws in the private rental sector are to be examined at a major conference this week.
Shelter Scotland, the housing and homelessness charity, will bring together local authority housing professionals, third sector organisations, landlords, letting agents and tenants to discuss the implications of new legislation.
It’s estimated that there are around 700,000 people in Scotland living in private rented accommodation who will be affected.
Taking centre stage will be discussion of the new private residential tenancy, new and existing powers for local authorities to tackle poor conditions as well as the roll-out of universal credit which means claimants will be responsible for paying their rent themselves.
Many of the changes have been introduced with the aim of greater protection and increased security and fairness for tenants
Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “Private renting in Scotland has doubled over the last ten years with more than 330,000 households now in the sector - 85,000 with children.
“Many of the changes to be discussed at conference have been introduced with the aim of greater protection and increased security and fairness for tenants.
“It is vital that landlords and letting agents in particular get to grip with and address the changes they are required to make by law.”
The Putting it into Practice event to be held tomorrow (Wednesday) in St Paul's and St George's Church, Edinburgh, will also focus on practical interventions to improve standards – including a showcase of a new Shelter Scotland private rented sector project and its work with landlords.
Delegates will hear from Kevin Stewart MSP; Graeme Brown; John Blackwood, chief executive, the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL); and Mike Bruce, chief executive of Weslo Housing Management.
Stewart, the minister for local government and housing, said: “Shelter Scotland’s conference is an opportunity to reflect on the wide ranging regulatory powers that have been introduced for the private rented sector over the last few years and how these can be used to improve the physical standards of housing and the way that these properties are managed.
“Legislation like the Private Tenancies Act, registration of letting agents and the new housing tribunal services is providing security and stability for the 700,000 people who live in private rented housing and improving their access to housing disputes.”
