Scotland’s rent ‘The SNP are lunatics – and renters will pay the price’

He adds: “The rent control ideas look like they’re heading for trouble. They will scare off investors and push more landlords out of the market, which will only end up exacerbating the situation even more for tenants.

“I’m already feeling the pinch of the Scottish Government’s policies firsthand. Costs are going up exponentially, the increasingly ill-thought through legislation is driving good landlords like us out of the market.

“This is just making things tougher for council and housing association properties, which are already stretched thin.

“The way this legislation is shaping up, it seems like it’s just going to make Scotland’s housing crisis even worse. It’ll just make it harder for would-be tenants to find good homes where they want to live, at prices they can afford.

“We already sold two this year, we have two more that are going to market next month.

“Most landlords are pragmatic, they are looking for a return on their money and if property is to become a high risk low reward activity then unfortunately they will vote with their feet and that capital will be deployed elsewhere.

“The big question is where will the Government house these people?”

Unveiling the plans today, Paul McLennan, the SNP’s Housing Minister said: “Early action, through the kinds of measures included in the Housing Bill, results in fewer people reaching the point of housing crisis.

“It also means people facing homelessness have more choice and control over where they live, helping them to maintain relationships in their community and stay in work.”