SHRINKAGE has been noted in the private rented sector in Dumfries and Galloway, with warnings it could get worse as regulation on landlords increases.
A Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) for the region reveals that between 2022-3 there was a three per cent drop in private landlord registrations.
Council officials say there has been a slight recovery since then but warn it’s expected to get worse following the implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Bill, which will impact on the sector.
Councillors will receive a report on the matter at their meeting in Dumfries today.
It says: “The housing standards service ran a survey of landlords who had left the sector over the last two years, which highlighted that regulatory changes and tenant issues were the two main reasons.”
Meanwhile, elected members will also be given the current figures for households ‘in need’ locally. They will hear there are 250 homeless households in temporary accommodation; 313 with insecure tenure; 546 concealed households and overcrowding; 845 with specialist housing need; and 1060 below tolerable standards.
An action plan 2025-7 has been drawn up to tackle the problem. Its three objections are to deliver more homes in the region, make the best use of empty homes, and enhance housing access and prevent homelessness.
It recommends more lobbying for additional resources, increased communication and engagement, and building in existing partnership working.
Officials want to “ensure the emergency is addressed as a matter of urgency” and are recommending that councillors approve it today.
