Private landlord numbers have reportedly been growing since the start of the economic downturn - and one property industry representative has called on the government to ensure these so-called accidental landlords are being monitored properly.
Association of Residential Letting Agents (Arla) operations manager Ian Potter believes this is particularly relevant to the industry in Scotland, where there is currently no tenancy deposit scheme in place to safeguard clients' money.
Property website Gumtree and Arla itself are among the organisations to have noted a rise in reluctant private landlords, so now could be the time to act.
"Arla is calling on Holyrood to pursue for the regulation of all Scottish agents, establishing a recognised minimum standard regulated by statute, to help bring as much confidence to the market as possible," said Mr Potter.
A review into landlord-tenancy issues north of the border was announced yesterday at the Scottish Association of Landlords major exhibition and conference, which took place in Edinburgh.
