Launch of new regular landlord research to inform policy in Scotland

The SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust has today published a report which provides new insights on landlords' views and experiences of the private rented sector in Scotland. The report is based on the findings from a representative survey of 1,100 landlords commissioned by the Trust, which will be repeated annually to capture evolving trends.

Why is this research important?

Over the past decade, the Scottish Government has made major reforms to the private rented sector, with further changes on the horizon. In March 2024, the Housing (Scotland) Bill was brought before Parliament, aiming to strike 'a fair balance between protection for tenants and the rights of landlords.' The proposed legislation could impact several key areas of landlord business, including rent setting, eviction processes, rules on pet ownership, and tenant's ability to make modifications to properties.

Despite these developments, data on landlords' experiences and perspectives in Scotland is relatively limited. One notable exception is the RentBetter study (funded by Nationwide Foundation), which engaged with nearly 5,000 tenants and landlords over the five years to 2024, uncovering important trends in the sector. The new research from SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust now builds on this foundation, helping to create a clearer, more detailed picture of the sector. Repeated annually, this research will track the real-world impact of future legislative changes as they unfold. With a particular focus on landlords, it will help to ensure that policy discussions and debate that directly impact landlords' livelihoods are informed by their opinion and experiences.

Key findings

The research looked at landlord characteristics and several key areas of landlord business.

Landlord characteristics

Most landlords in Scotland (90%) are individuals or families, with 80% owning four properties or fewer. Nearly all (94%) have over four years' experience. The report also highlights the ageing profile of landlords in Scotland, showing 84% to be over the age of 45 and a third (33%) over 65.

Affordability and rents

More than half of landlords increased rents in the past year, mainly due to rising mortgage and maintenance costs. Still, 40% chose not to raise rents, often to support tenants during the cost-of-living crisis.

Housing supply

One-third of landlords plan to sell properties, and only 7% aim to buy more. However, when asked about actual changes to their portfolios over the 12 months to data collection, 16% had sold and 8% had purchased properties. This indicates a reduction in supply, although the average number of properties acquired (2.4) was slightly higher than the average number removed (1.9).

Property condition and Maintenance

Keeping up with repairs and maintenance can be challenging for landlords, with cost, access to tradespeople, and tenants not reporting issues all highlighted as barriers.

Satisfaction and Policy Views

One-third of landlords are satisfied with their letting experience, often citing their positive relationships with tenants and a sense of delivering a social good. However, 42% report dissatisfaction, largely due to policy changes and tax reforms. Over half struggle to keep up with changes to the law affecting their rental properties.

Read the report here.