Rent Controls Backfired — John Blackwood Explains Why

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with John Blackwood, Chief Executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL), who has spent nearly 25 years representing landlords across Scotland.

John brings unparalleled insight into the private rented sector (PRS), the political pressures landlords face, and the complex legislative landscape shaping housing today. From rent controls to the Housing Scotland Bill, ADS reform, empty homes, and the moral debate surrounding private renting, this conversation offers one of the most balanced and honest breakdowns of Scotland’s housing challenges — directly from someone on the front line.

Episode Highlights:

🌟 Changing Perceptions of Landlords

• John reflects on how society’s view of landlords has shifted dramatically over generations.

• Renting was once seen as responsible long-term planning — now landlords are often unfairly painted as “greedy” or “immoral”.

• He emphasises that 95% of Scottish landlords own just one or two properties and are ordinary working people, not large-scale investors .

🏛️ Why the Scottish Association of Landlords Was Formed

• SAL was created after early HMO legislation left landlords feeling unsupported and unheard.

• The Scottish Government itself requested a single representative body to balance discussions around landlord and tenant rights .

• SAL’s mission has always been to represent both sides fairly, not favour landlords.

⚠️ Challenges Facing Today’s Landlords

• The sector is experiencing legislative overload, with continuous rule changes forcing many small landlords out of the market .

• Financial pressures are rising: tax changes, potential National Insurance on rental income, and increasing compliance demands.

• John highlights how the constant policy churn creates instability and discourages investment.

📉 Rent Controls, Supply Shortages & Market Impact

• John discusses the rent freeze/rent cap and the unintended consequences it created.

• Evidence from Zoopla and international studies shows rent controls:

  • Reduce supply

  • Deter investors

  • Ultimately increase rents — exactly what happened in Scotland

• With controls now lifted, rents are beginning to stabilise as the market self-corrects.

⚖️ The Landlords vs Tenants Narrative

• John expresses frustration with the media and political framing of landlords as “the bad guys”.

• Argues that landlords and tenants want the same core things:

  • Safe, warm, affordable homes

  • Good relationships

  • Stability in the PRS

• Says the current political climate encourages division instead of solutions .

🏘️ Empty Homes, ADS & Policy That’s Worsening Supply

• John highlights the flaws in Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS):

  • Penalises landlords purchasing empty or uninhabitable homes

  • Discourages buying tenanted properties

  • Slows down opportunities to bring homes back into use

• Proposes simple reforms: exempting purchases of empty homes and rented homes from ADS — a cheap, immediate supply solution.

🏛️ The Housing Scotland Bill & Political Ideology

• Discussion around how the Bill is influenced by ideology rather than evidence.

• John shares experiences with politicians who claim that being a landlord is inherently “immoral” .

• Emphasises that removing landlords doesn’t solve the housing emergency — it makes it worse.