Propertymark has told a UK government to stop ignoring the damaging effect of its policies on the private rental sector.

An outspoken statement from the trade body has been issued following a debate in the Scottish Parliament – the same parliament that recently imposed an emergency rent freeze and eviction ban on landlords.

Tories in the Parliament have said that the consequences of the rent freeze and eviction ban constitute a “national housing crisis”.

In response, Timothy Douglas – Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark – comments: “Propertymark remains concerned about the impacts of a shortage of supply on the housing market, particularly for affordable housing as social housing continues to be drastically undelivered.

“As inflation, the cost of living and homelessness numbers rise, the commitment to building 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 under current plans is becoming completely unachievable, not only when meeting their ambitious targets but also meeting the growing demand for suitable homes of all tenures.

“As rightly pointed out during the debate, the private rented sector is no longer a viable option for many landlords.

“We know that the private rented sector plays a huge role in housing the nation however, due to increased financial and regulatory pressures placed on landlords, 68 per cent of letting agents said they had seen an increase in notices to sell.

“Ministers push the rhetoric on cost of supply, materials, Brexit, and inflation but continues to disregard how its restrictive policies are impacting the sector.

“We need the Scottish Government to drastically improve the way that it values the private rented sector and tackle housing issues such as these with greater urgency.”

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