Dundee City Council has become the latest organisation to back a campaign calling for reform of the private rented sector.

The council signed up to support Shelter Scotland’s Make Renting Right campaign which aims to ensure that Scotland’s growing private rented sector is fit for families and fairer for everyone.

The move follows news of a Shelter Scotland funded project which would work with private landlords to improve standards in Dundee.

Across Scotland a chronic shortage of affordable housing has led to a growth in private renting, with 312,000 families and individuals calling the private rented sector home. Of these, more than 80,000 private lets now house families with children.

According to Shelter Scotland, private renting operates under an outdated tenancy regime that is not suited to providing a safe and secure environment for people to put down stable foundations in their communities.

Adam Lang, head of communications and policy at Shelter Scotland, said: “We are pleased that Dundee City Council has joined our calls for a better private rented sector for tenants and landlords.

“Along with the council, we want to see a private rented sector that is fit for families and protects all tenants – a sector that provides long-term homes, not short-term housing.

“Too often we hear of people being moved on, evicted or rents increased unreasonably, forcing people into the disruptive cycle of having to move house - every six months in some cases - preventing them from ever being able to put down strong roots and being part of a community.

“In the 21st century, we need a private rented sector that is modern, stable, flexible, predictable and fair for those individuals and families that call it home.”

John Alexander, convener of Dundee City Council’s housing committee, said: “It was a no brainer backing Shelter Scotland’s campaign for reform of the country’s rented sector.

“With almost 14,000 households renting privately across Dundee, the Council continues to do all it can to ensure that tenants are treated in a fair and reasonable way that helps to build strong communities.

“I hope that adding our voice to this important fight brings about reform in a constructive way and at a rapid pace.”

Adam Lang added: “The benefits of reform in the private rented sector would not just be felt by tenants. Landlords in Dundee and across Scotland too would see a more constant and predictable income with less downtime between rents and a more stable relationships with their tenants.

“That’s why we are asking people to support our campaign to positively reform the private rented sector and turn it into a place where the increasing numbers of people who rely on it can make a house a home and live with increased security and dignity.”

The Make Renting Right campaign from Shelter Scotland coincides with the Scottish Government’s consultation on proposals to reform tenancies in the private rented sector and builds on the charity’s previous campaigns in the sector.

Earlier this month, Glasgow City Council passed a motion in support of the campaign while Scottish Gas became the first company to back the project.

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