An increase of 42% in demand for advice concerning illegal eviction cases within the private rented sector has been unveiled by Citizens Advice Scotland, according to newly released data. The findings also disclose a 15% rise in overall demand for advice related to issues within the private rental sector.
These revelations have raised alarms about the awareness of tenant rights and the potential exploitation by unscrupulous landlords in Scotland’s private rental market.
This development comes hot on the heels of the Scottish Parliament’s recent approval of a final extension to the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Act, effectively extending the cap on private sector rents and eviction protections until at least March 2024.
Citizens Advice Scotland, an organization dedicated to securing enhanced protections and fair treatment for tenants, has expressed concern over the increasing demand for advisory services. The surge indicates that many private renters may not be fully informed about their rights or that rogue landlords might be taking undue advantage of their lack of knowledge.
Social justice spokesperson for Citizens Advice Scotland, Aoife Deery, commented on the situation, stating, “The extension passed by the Scottish Parliament last week is welcome. Better protections and a fairer deal for tenants is something we all want to see, but it is crucial we learn from the implementation of this legislation to deliver long-lasting reform.”
Deery continued, “We know from our evidence that the cost-of-living crisis is far from over, and we also know that this legislation hasn’t had the intended impact for everyone. We’ve seen tenants having their rent increased by far more than the cap, and tenants being evicted illegally. This is against a backdrop of average rents rising steeply in many areas of Scotland, making it difficult for people to find alternative, affordable accommodation.”
Highlighting the need for increased awareness and understanding of tenant rights, Deery emphasized, “New rights for tenants are only as strong as their knowledge of them and their ability to exercise them in the first place. Otherwise people are at risk of being taken advantage of by rogue landlords. Likewise, good landlords who are trying to give their tenants a fair deal may fall foul of legislation simply through not knowing their responsibilities.”
In conclusion, Deery stressed the importance of leveraging evidence from this period to establish a fairer rented sector with transparent regulations. She underlined the necessity for tenants and landlords to be more informed about their rights and responsibilities, ensuring easy access to and confidence in seeking redress when issues arise. Citizens Advice Scotland expressed its commitment to continued collaboration with the Scottish Government in pursuit of these vital objectives.