Rent Controls Backfired — And Landlords Changed Their Strategy

Scottish Property Podcast on August 12, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven are joined by Dr John Boyle to discuss rent controls in Scotland, why they have backfired, and how landlords have changed their strategy in response. They also look at what this means for the wider private rental sector, tenants and property investors. In addition, the conversation touches on housing supply, build-to-rent, student accommodation and whether current policy is helping or making the rental market more difficult.

The conversation also touches on housing supply, build-to-rent, student accommodation and whether current policy is helping or making the rental market more difficult. As a result, this episode gives a practical look at how rent controls in Scotland, wider regulation and market conditions can shape long-term property investment strategy.

Overall, this episode gives a practical look at how rent controls in Scotland, wider regulation and market conditions can shape long-term property investment strategy.

Episode Highlights

  • What Scotland’s housing emergency actually means, and why homelessness and temporary accommodation are increasing
  • Why housing costs of around 25%–30% of gross income are generally considered affordable
  • How annual housebuilding has fallen from around 25,000 homes before the financial crash to fewer than 20,000
  • Why Scotland’s 2026 house-price growth forecast was revised from 3.5% to around 0%
  • Why Dr John Boyle does not believe the 18-year property cycle will cause a house-price crash in 2026
  • How Aberdeen’s property market changed so dramatically, and why transactions are now beginning to recover
  • Why landlord registration figures may not give a reliable picture of landlords leaving the sector
  • How rent controls encouraged landlords to raise rents to market value between tenancies
  • Why the 8% Additional Dwelling Supplement affects new landlords while producing record tax revenue
  • Why rent controls caused institutional build-to-rent investment in Scotland to stall
  • How student accommodation and co-living could provide alternative housing options

Episode Timestamps

  • 00:00 – Meet Dr. John Boyle
  • 01:08 – Scotland’s housing emergency explained
  • 04:04 – Why Scotland is not building enough homes
  • 07:08 – The rising cost of social housing
  • 10:55 – Scotland’s property-market outlook
  • 14:32 – Will the 18-year property cycle cause a crash?
  • 18:25 – What could trigger the next property crash?
  • 21:39 – What happened to Aberdeen’s property market?
  • 25:31 – Finding growth areas and interpreting property data
  • 30:28 – Are landlords really leaving Scotland?
  • 35:23 – How the 8% ADS is affecting investors
  • 37:47 – Why rent controls caused rents to rise
  • 40:11 – The future of rent-control zones
  • 44:57 – Build-to-rent and institutional investment
  • 53:03 – Why build-to-rent schemes are struggling
  • 56:47 – Is Glasgow building too much student accommodation?
  • 59:49 – Could co-living help address the housing shortage?
  • 01:00:52 – Where to connect with Dr. John

Useful Links

Join our monthly property networking events across Scotland and connect with investors, landlords and industry experts. View Upcoming Events

Know someone selling a property? You could earn £1,500 by introducing them to Prime Property Auctions. Visit Prime Property Auctions

Listen to more episodes of The Scottish Property Podcast and explore conversations with investors, landlords and industry experts across Scotland. Browse Episodes

Do you think Scotland is heading for a property crash, or will the housing shortage keep prices resilient? Let us know in the comments below

Scotland’s £10k First Home Fund Is Back — Will It Be Gone in Days?

Scottish Property Podcast on June 1, 2026

Episode Overview

The last time Scotland launched this fund it had £60 million and it was gone in eight days. This time they’ve got £100 million. Nick and Steven give it two weeks.

In this month’s market update, they break down exactly how the £10k First Home Fund works, what the catches are, and why investors should be paying attention too — because when first-time buyers pile into the 80–100k market, it gets competitive fast.

That’s just one of the stories this month. Gilt rates just hit their highest level since 2008. Scottish rents have dropped annually for the first time in eight years. And a new law coming in April 2027 means one tenant in a joint tenancy can end the lease for everybody — a potential nightmare for HMO landlords.

Episode Highlights

  • The £10k First Home Fund — how it works, the equity catch, and how long it’ll last
  • Rants episode feedback — scarcity selling, FOMO and deals passed around 15 WhatsApp groups
  • Fuel prices, inflation & why CPI came in lower than expected at 2.8%
  • Interest rates: why three or four cuts this year is now off the table
  • Scottish house prices: Glasgow up 2.9%, Scotland up 2.6%, Aberdeen finally climbing
  • Average time to sell in Scotland — 15 days, fastest in the UK
  • Rental market: first annual rent drop in 8 years — and why Nick thinks it’s already bouncing back
  • City rents breakdown: Aberdeen up 1.7%, Glasgow up 0.4%, Edinburgh flat
  • Rent controls update — nothing happening until late 2027 at the earliest
  • The joint tenancy bombshell — one tenant can end the tenancy for everyone from April 2027
  • Why this is a major problem for HMO landlords
  • Rent adjudication changes — the tribunal loophole is closing
  • Down valuations — are surveyors getting more cautious?
  • The 80–100k sweet spot for Scottish BTL investors right now

Episode Timestamps

  • 00:00 – Intro & what’s coming up this episode
  • 01:48 – Rants episode feedback — scarcity selling & FOMO in the market
  • 05:30 – The dodgy deal story — unfactored building, hole in the wall, empty property
  • 12:21 – Listener email — “Fatty” tells Nick to stop interrupting Steven
  • 15:04 – Fuel prices & the macro economy
  • 17:26 – CPI inflation came in at 2.8% — lower than expected
  • 19:47 – Interest rates & why cuts are off the table
  • 21:54 – The 80–100k sweet spot for Scottish BTL right now
  • 24:24 – Post-election results — Reform, SNP minority, what it means
  • 28:31 – The £10k First Home Fund — how it works & the catches
  • 32:16 – Last time this fund launched it was gone in 8 days
  • 34:00 – House prices & the Zoopla index
  • 38:07 – Average time to sell in Scotland: 15 days, fastest in the UK
  • 39:04 – Down valuations — are surveyors getting more cautious?
  • 43:01 – Rental market update — Citylets data
  • 43:21 – First annual rent drop in 8 years
  • 44:49 – City breakdown: Dundee, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh
  • 46:46 – Rent controls — nothing until late 2027 at the earliest
  • 50:36 – Rent adjudication changes — tribunal loophole closing April 2027
  • 52:12 – Joint tenancy bombshell — one person can end it for everyone

Useful Links

Join our monthly property networking events across Scotland and connect with investors, landlords and industry experts. View Upcoming Events

Know someone selling a property? You could earn £1,500 by introducing them to Prime Property Auctions. Visit Prime Property Auctions

Listen to more episodes of The Scottish Property Podcast and explore conversations with investors, landlords and industry experts across Scotland. Browse Episodes

Do you think the fund will be gone in days again? Drop it in the comments

SNP, Labour, Reform — who’s best for property investors in Scotland?

Scottish Property Podcast on May 4, 2026

Episode Overview

The Scottish election is days away — and if you’re a property investor or landlord, what happens on May 7th actually matters.

In this market update, Nick and Steven cut through the political noise and break down exactly what each party’s housing policies mean for landlords, investors, and anyone trying to build a portfolio in Scotland right now.

From ADS cuts to rent controls, council tax hikes of up to 500%, first-time buyer grants, and a housing building crisis — this one is packed with real talk on the policies that will shape the Scottish property market for years to come.

Episode Highlights

  • ADS breakdown by party — Tories want to cut from 8% to 4%
  • Rent controls: CPI+1% capped at 6% — what it means for you
  • Council tax on second homes — up to 500% in some areas
  • Short-term let licence & small business bonus scheme changes
  • SNP’s right to buy proposal & £10k first-time buyer grant
  • Why Scotland’s house building targets keep getting missed
  • The social housing cost crisis & impact on private developers
  • Edinburgh’s 5% tourist levy coming July 2026

Episode Timestamps

  • 00:00 – Intro: why this election matters to property investors
  • 02:00 – Election overview: latest polls & party predictions
  • 06:00 – Reform’s rise in Scotland & what it means
  • 10:00 – ADS (Additional Dwelling Supplement): party by party breakdown
  • 18:00 – LBTT: who wants to cut it, scrap it, or raise it?
  • 24:00 – Multiple Dwellings Relief (MDR): is it safe?
  • 28:00 – Rent controls: CPI+1% capped at 6% — is that fair?
  • 35:00 – Council tax: the 500% increase in Midlothian explained
  • 42:00 – Short-term lets, Airbnb & the small business bonus loophole closing
  • 48:00 – Edinburgh tourist levy from July 2026
  • 52:00 – First-time buyers: right to buy & the £10k SNP grant
  • 1:00:00 – House building targets: will any party actually deliver?
  • 1:08:00 – The £307k social house in Clydebank worth £200k
  • 1:18:00 – Build to rent, private equity & what Scotland needs
  • 1:25:00 – Energy, North Sea drilling & the Norway comparison
  • 1:30:00 – Who are they voting for? Networking events & wrap-up

Useful Links

Join our monthly property networking events across Scotland and connect with investors, landlords and industry experts. View Upcoming Events

Know someone selling a property? You could earn £1,500 by introducing them to Prime Property Auctions. Visit Prime Property Auctions

Listen to more episodes of The Scottish Property Podcast and explore conversations with investors, landlords and industry experts across Scotland. Browse Episodes

Drop your questions or opinions in the comments — who are YOU voting for?

A weekly podcast focused on keeping property investors informed and educated on the Scottish property market. Co-hosts Nick Ponty and Steven Clark share their own experiences, answer questions and talk to experts in the industry.

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