A petition supporting landlords and letting agents in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) in Scotland and opposing the introduction of rent controls has gained more than 3,000 signatures.

Launched on May 1 by the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) and the Council of Letting Agents (CLA), the petition calls for the Scottish Government and MSPs to recognise the importance of the PRS in Scotland.

It has been submitted to the Scottish Government in response to its consultation on a New Tenancy for the Private Rented Sector, which closed yesterday.

The petition argues that proposals such as the introduction of rent controls and the removal of the landlord’s right to terminate a tenancy at the end of the agreed lease would have a detrimental effect upon the landlord investment necessary to meet the rising demand in the sector.

John Blackwood, chief executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords, said: “Investment in the private rented sector will play a major part in tackling the systemic housing shortage in Scotland, along with the need to increase the availability of social housing and the construction of more privately owned homes.

“However, if the Scottish Government follows through on proposals to bring in rent controls and remove a landlord’s right to terminate a tenancy at the end of the agreed lease period, SAL is in no doubt that the required investment to deliver more homes for private rent will dry up.”

He added: “Whilst we agree that some changes to the current regime are necessary, we would urge the Scottish Government to consider the wider implications of what is being proposed.”