Landlords (Registration and Appointment of Agents)

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 15 March 2012.

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Photo of John Pentland John Pentland Labour

5. To ask the Scottish Executive how many landlords have been fined for (a) failing to register and (b) not notifying local authorities of the appointment of an agent since 31 August 2011 and how much has been imposed in fines. (S4O-00793)

Photo of Keith Brown Keith Brown Scottish National Party

Local authorities have not informed the Scottish Government of any landlords who have been fined by the courts for failing to register since 31 August 2011, when the maximum fine for that was increased to £50,000. Similarly, local authorities have not made us aware of any landlords who have been fined by the courts for not notifying their local authority of the appointment of an agent.

Photo of John Pentland John Pentland Labour

Many of my constituents are concerned about the difficulties that are caused by landlords who allow their properties, grounds and tenants to blight the community. Unregistered landlords make the situation worse. At present, housing benefit rules do not require their registration. Will the Scottish Government consider measures in the housing benefit system to ensure registration of landlords?

Photo of Keith Brown Keith Brown Scottish National Party

The housing benefit system is under substantial review and is undergoing changes at the behest of the United Kingdom Government, which controls it. At least currently, this Parliament does not control it.

In relation to unregistered landlords, it is hard to say whether the absence of referrals is because the increased fine of £50,000 is having a deterrent effect. The measure was introduced only in August last year, so we will have to give it a bit more time.

The member makes a fair point about landlord registration and behaviour. We have set up a short-life working group to consider the issue and what more we can do.

Photo of John Mason John Mason Scottish National Party

Another way in which private tenants could be protected is through tenancy agreements, which we already have in the registered social landlord sector. Could they be rolled out into the private sector?

Photo of Keith Brown Keith Brown Scottish National Party

At the risk of repeating myself, I point out that we are working with members of the Scottish private rented sector strategy group on a consultative strategy for the sector, which is due for publication next month. As part of that work, we aim to seek views on the current tenancy regime that governs private sector lets and to consider what more can be done about the issue that the member raises.