A clampdown on unscrupulous landlords operating amid Aberdeen’s housing boom has been launched.
Tenants and their rights are at heart of the campaign being led by police, homeless charity Shelter Scotland and the Scottish Association of Landlords.
Hundreds of illegal evictions are taking place in Scotland every year, both by landlords unaware of the law and those who knowingly break it, Shelter Scotland said.
The charity said it was launching it campaign in Aberdeen due to the high number of private landlords in the city, where there is a high demand for properties and above-average rents.
Fiona King, Shelter Scotland Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager, said: “Aberdeen is home to a housing boom. The national growing in private renting is 13% a year and here in Aberdeen it is 17%, which is why we have begun our tour here.
“We want to make sure that the tenant and landlords have information”.
Crucially, eviction without notice is illegal and can lead to criminal charges, Ms King said.
Written notice 40 days before the eviction date is required, she added, with tenants advised to phone Shelter Scotland or police if they have been mistreated by their landlord.
An eviction also becomes illegal if locks are changed to prevent a tenant entering, a tenant is forcefully removed or if a tenant is made so uncomfortable that they are forced to leave.
Ms King added: “This is not new legislation. There has been a historic misunderstanding surrounding legislation. This can be unintentional on behalf of landlords who are unaware of this.”
The campaign launch took place in the Sir Duncan Rice Library of Aberdeen University yesterday. It will then be toured across Scotland to raise awareness of tenancy issues.
However, Ms King added: “The majority of landlords are good. It is only a minority who don’t stick by the rules. We are targeting bad landlords”.
Shelter Scotland also stressed that tenants also have obligations and are advised to keep up to date with rent, keep the house in good condition, seek permission to sublet and give proper notice if they wish to leave.
Sergeant Brian Cumming, of Police Scotland, said “We are hoping events will raise awareness of this issue as it is likely people are unaware that it is a criminal offence. If anybody feels they are a victim of illegal eviction we would urge them to report it to Police Scotland so it can be properly investigated.”