Scottish Tenants Polled On Improvements

Tenants in Scotland are being asked how they and their landlords can improve private rented accommodation.

The Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) and the Council of Letting Agents (CLA) have launched a survey asking tenants to give their views on issues such as rent levels, inspections, safety checks and how long it takes to carry out repairs or handle complaints.

The private rental sector (PRS) accounts for an estimated 368,000 properties in Scotland, figures show.

The SAL and sister organisation, the CLA, said they want to gain a better understanding of what tenants look for from their agents or landlords in terms of value for money.

The survey results will be presented to MSPs at the Scottish Parliament next month.

SAL chief executive John Blackwood said: In a recent independent poll, 77% of Scottish adults said they believed a well-functioning PRS is important to Scotland. We want to know what we, as an industry, can do to meet that level of expectation.

We recognise there are areas where we need to improve so, to make sure we have the right priorities, we are going straight to the source, our tenants, to ask them what they think and what they want from their landlords and letting agents.

I hope that people will take the time to share with us their views and experiences. This information will be invaluable in helping us shape the future of the sector to make it responsive to the needs of our tenants. It will shape how our organisation can drive through the changes necessary to ensure that the PRS is robust, accountable and fit for purpose.''

The short online survey can be accessed through both the SAL and CLA websites.