Bad landlords who overcrowd or fail to maintain their properties could be targeted with tough new powers.
The Scottish Government is consulting on plans to target the “most exceptional” cases of poor housing in the private sector.
Officials estimate that there could be up to 13,000 rented properties across the country which are either overcrowded or in a “serious state of disrepair”.
Tough new rules will give officials the right to enter properties to check they are safe, while councils could monitor the amount of rubbish being produced by households.
A government spokesman played down any suggestion that could be seen as policing people’s bins, however.
Aberdeen City Council hit the headlines last week after agreeing to send officials to talk to citizens who ask for additional waste containers. The move is part of a drive on recycling, but prompted suggestions the authority was appointing “bin police”.
The planned changes on the private rented sector, meanwhile, are being welcomed by Aberdein Considine, one of the country’s biggest letting agents.
The firm, which manages nearly 1,200 private and commercial properties from 18 offices – said the policies would force Scotland’s worst landlords to shape up.
Partner Michael Sinclair said: “One eighth of Scottish Homes are now in the private rental sector.
“Given the continued importance of leasing as a means of holding property in Scotland, it is understandable that the Scottish Government is anxious to ensure that there is decent supply of quality homes coming on the market and that there are ways of improving the existing stock.
“It is also important that there are statutory devices in place to protect tenants against errant landlords.
“That said, whilst any move to improve the quality of rented property is to be welcomed it is important that any government intervention in the sector is carefully thought through and that decent landlords also get their say.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We envisage enhanced enforcement areas being used in exceptional circumstances and where there is clear evidence of overcrowding and unsatisfactory conditions.
“The Scottish Government is currently consulting on this and invites views on what type of evidence might be required.”