With new social rented housing provision being thwarted, the private rental sector (PRS) looks increasingly likely to play a larger part in meeting housing need in Scotland. Local authority landlord registration schemes can play a huge part in ensuring tenants get a fair deal. A much-welcomed consultation by the Scottish Government is due to end on July 10th which aims to improve the quality of the PRS.

The latest good news story for tenants is the recent launch of the Tenants’ Deposit Scheme. Under the scheme landlords must now hand over deposits to an independent third party. It is hoped the initiative which is free for landlords and letting agents will prevent agents holding on to money on false grounds. One scheme is run by SafeDeposits Scotland, a not-for-profit partnership between landlords, agents and tenants, including student body NUS Scotland.

With more than 270,000 households renting from private landlords, about £75m is expected to be transferred to the bodies. Landlords and letting agents have until next May to lodge all deposits, but can start doing so now.

Previously tenants had to take legal action to try to recover deposit money but the regulations give them access to an independent dispute resolution service if the return of a deposit cannot be agreed.

SafeDeposits Scotland chairman Sir Andrew Cubie said: “Too often the actions of a minority of landlords give rise to a negative view of the private rented sector. This is a great day for tenants and good for landlords. We’ve worked for many years to get better protection for tenants in private flats and houses, including of course the tens of thousands of students who live in the private rented sector”.

With new legislation on homelessness coming in to play at the end of 2012, there have been many stories in the media in recent weeks and months regarding homeless statistics. I am always dismayed to see that newspaper pictures are still portraying the homeless as lone, unkempt bundles lying on a pavement. The homeless picture is much bigger than this. This stereotyping ignores the families, couples and single people who are sofa-surfing, staying with friends, staying in temporary accommodation or have no decent affordable place they can call home. With less affordable housing being built, changes to the welfare system which could drive more young people into homelessness and the new legislation whereby all unintentional homeless applicants are obliged to be housed, there are huge challenges ahead.

In March 2011 the number of households on the council waiting list in Aberdeenshire was 6,2o2 but only 847 new lets were available in 2010/11. This means it would take more than 7 years to clear the current waiting list without the pressures mentioned above. I would be interested to hear about any local housing issues whether in the social or private rented sector. Please do not hesitate to contact me.