Propertymark says some 85 per cent of its member agents in Scotland have landlord clients who have expressed a wish to withdraw from the private rented sector and sell their properties.

It says that it’s even more worrying that 68 per cent of agents have already seen an increase in notices to sell due to the temporary measures such as rent controls introduced north of the border.

In addition some 83 per cent of agents that stated that they would increase rents to reassure landlords they can cover rental loss as well as maintenance, utilities and mortgage interest hikes.

Propertymark believes that the legislation changes introduced are disproportionate to the scale of the problem in Scotland, with many of its member agents saying that landlords did not raise rents in the last year.

Other key statistics are that 87 per cent of agents said that landlords had no desire to increase their portfolio, and 86 per cent of agents said that landlords came to them for advice on legislation.

Commenting, Timothy Douglas, head of policy at Propertymark, says: “The measures introduced under the cost of living legislation are disproportionate to the scale of the problem and have only driven more landlords out of the sector. 

“Feedback from Propertymark members shows that because of the measures introduced by the Scottish Government the desire for landlords to remain in the sector and increase the number of homes for people to rent is stalling.

“Alarmingly, the temporary nature of the legislation means that the impact is not fully realised yet but if the changes are extended then there will be greater consequences. 

“The private rented sector is a key solution to resolve the housing crisis but if the Scottish Government continue with policies that disincentive landlords this will only make the situation worse.”