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Shelter Scotland welcomes ‘reform of private renting’

The introduction of a new form of Scottish private residential tenancy has been welcomed by Shelter Scotland.

The new private residential tenancy (PRT), which was introduced last week, has replaced the previous assured tenancy regime for all future private sector tenancy lets.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, described the new tenancy, which the Scottish government insist is designed to improve security of tenure for tenants and provide appropriate safeguards for buy-to-let landlords, lenders and investors, as a “new dawn fir private renters”.

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PRT, which was created by the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act, will limit rent increases to just one per year with three months’ notice, giving local authorities the ability to impose rent controls in areas where there are ‘excessive’ increases in rent, while also modernising and streamlining the grounds under which a landlord can repossess residential property.

The ‘no fault’ ground for repossession has also now been removed and replaced with 17 potential grounds for repossession, while any disputes between landlords and tenants will now be dealt with by the new housing and property tribunal chamber, rather than the sheriff court.

Brown commented: “We have campaigned passionately for ten years now for reform of private renting, ending with our Make Renting Right campaign, which had extensive support from the public and local and national politicians. We are delighted that all those voices were listened to and we support today’s changes in the law.

“Shelter Scotland is pleased to be working with the Scottish Government on a major awareness raising campaign to ensure everyone involved in private renting- from tenants and landlords to letting agents and housing professionals- understand their new rights and responsibilities.”

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