Student accommodation may suffer if new tenancy rights laws get go-ahead

Sir, – Recent comment from NFU Scotland and other rural interests would appear to indicate that the Scottish Government is proposing to change the law in relation to tenants’ rights in its consolidation of pandemic measures on a permanent basis. In particular the proposals would seem to make it more difficult and time consuming to evict tenants, with the involvement of tribunals.

Whilst rural interests can argue their case in relation to farm and hospitality workers far better than I can, I wonder if much thought has been given to the potential implications for student accommodation?

Dundee has a shortage of student accommodation – as witnessed by the University of Dundee appealing for such earlier this year. It has had issues in the past with an excess of houses of multiple occupation in certain areas, particularly the west end.

It has had around 12 applications for planning consent for purpose built student accommodation in the last two years which, if all are approved and built, would provide approximately 3,500 beds against a forecast shortfall of approximately 4,500.

To date none of these developments has started and I wonder if, in light of these proposals, they ever will?

What operator will wish to be in a position where it will be very difficult to get this year’s student occupiers out, if they do not wish to go, and how will they then be able to provide for incoming students at the right time?

This would also leave universities in a very difficult position in relation to their offers to potential students.

Doubtless some tenants are being treated badly by some landlords and their rights may well need strengthening but it requires a rigorous debate and discussion across the country rather than being rushed through Parliament without significant time to consider all the implications.