The council joins local authorities in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee by signing up to support Shelter Scotland’s Make Renting Right campaign which aims to make Scotland’s growing private rented sector fit for families and fairer for all.

Across Scotland a chronic shortage of affordable housing has led to a substantial growth in private renting, with 312,000 families and individuals now calling the private rented sector home. Of these, more than 80,000 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According to Shelter Scotland, private renting operates under an outdated tenancy regime that is not suited to providing a safe and secure environment for people to put down stable foundations in their communities.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “We are pleased that East Lothian 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.”

Councillor Norman Hampshire, East Lothian Council’s spokesperson for housing and environment, said: “The council is pleased to support Shelter’s campaign to give people living in private rented accommodation improved security and options. East Lothian Council aims to build strong communities and anything that helps towards that is to be welcomed.”

Graeme Brown added: “The benefits of reform in the private rented sector would not just be felt by tenants. Landlords in East Lothian 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.

Shelter Scotland’s key asks for reforming the sector include:

@ELCouncil