Annual National Landlord Survey in Scotland to Shape Policy and Practice

The SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust has launched its second Voice of the Landlord survey, building on the success of last year's inaugural study. This annual national survey aims to capture the views and experiences of landlords across Scotland's private rented sector, generating valuable evidence to inform future policy, practice, and public debate.

Why this research matters

Over the past decade, Scotland's private rented sector has undergone significant reform - and further changes are on the horizon.

The Housing (Scotland) Bill, which has now passed all stages in Parliament, introduces major reforms that could directly impact key aspects of landlords' businesses, including rent controls, rules on pet ownership, tenant alterations to properties, the implementation of Awaab's Law, and changes to eviction processes.

In addition, the Scottish Government is gradually introducing stricter Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), requiring all privately rented homes to achieve a Band C EPC rating by 2033, with new tenancies needing to comply by 2028.

These reforms will have far-reaching implications for landlords across Scotland, yet data on their real experiences remains limited. The Voice of the Landlord survey seeks to fill this gap, gathering evidence that can inform fair, balanced policymaking. By participating, landlords ensure their perspectives are considered in the development of future policies for Scotland's private rented sector.

What will the research cover?

Who are Scotland's landlords?: Scotland's private rented sector is highly diverse, with landlords from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances. Understanding this diversity is key to recognising how different types of landlords experience and respond to regulatory change. By capturing these insights, the research will help identify the challenges landlords face and the types of support they need to adapt and thrive in an evolving housing landscape.

Satisfaction and challenges: What's working well, and where are the pressure points? This year's survey explores landlords' day-to-day experiences - from property maintenance and repairs to wider issues affecting the sector. It also gathers views on forthcoming energy efficiency requirements, offering valuable insights into how these changes could shape landlords' portfolios and operations in the years ahead.

Property management: Different landlords take different approaches to managing their properties. By exploring factors like rent-setting, tenant selection, letting agent use, and inspections, the survey will shed light on landlord decision-making. These insights are vital for understanding how landlords respond to market pressures and regulation.

Portfolio changes: With housing shortages a major concern, the survey examines portfolio changes. Looking at whether landlords have expanded, maintained or reduced their portfolios in the last year, or intend to do so in the future, we can gain a clearer picture of the housing supply landscape and how this might evolve in response to regulatory changes.

Further details

This project is managed by the TDS Policy and Research Team with data sampling, collection, and analysis conducted by the external research company Insight Advantage. We are grateful to the Scottish Government and key stakeholders for their input into the survey design. To ensure we capture evolving trends, the survey will be conducted annually. Rest assured, all responses are anonymous.

To take part in the survey CLICK HERE

More information

The SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust is a charity designed to promote education, training, and best practice in Scotland's private rented sector.