Growing delays within Scotland's housing tribunal system are forcing a significant number of landlords to abandon the private rented sector, leaving a trail of vacant properties and exacerbating the already acute shortage of affordable rentals. The trend is alarming, with some landlords facing waits of up to 12 months from application to hearing – a timeline that can push costs up to £10,000 before cases are resolved.
Data from the Scottish Association of Landlords highlights a disturbing increase in processing times: the average period between an eviction application and tribunal decision has surged from three months in 2019 to over eight months in 2025. The statistics also reveal that by the time a decision is reached, tenants owing rent arrears have amassed an average debt equivalent to nearly 15 months' rent – more than double the figure in 2019.
Aberdein Considine's Elaine Elder notes the immense financial strain these delays place on landlords already burdened with rising operational costs and increased regulatory pressures. Many smaller landlords, who often rely on rental income to support their retirement plans, simply cannot absorb nearly a year without income while covering mortgage payments, insurance, maintenance, and legal fees.
John Blackwood, chief executive of the SAL, echoes these concerns, warning that delays in eviction notices severely impact landlords' businesses and consequently affect the overall supply of rented accommodation. Both Aberdein Considine and the SAL are urging the Scottish Government to collaborate with landlords and tenants to streamline and expedite the tribunal process.
The situation has far-reaching implications for Scotland's housing market, potentially exacerbating existing shortages and driving up rents. With fewer rental properties available, first-time buyers – already facing challenges in a market where average UK house prices are around £288,000 (according to recent Rightmove data) – could find themselves competing even more fiercely for limited options.