I was delighted to be in Stonehaven recently to sign up to Shelter Scotland’s  ‘Make Renting Right’ campaign.

In Aberdeenshire there are 11 per cent of households in the rented sector and it has become home to a more diverse group of tenants in the last decade.

For example the number of families with children now living in such accommodation has doubled in the last ten years. I agree with Shelter Scotland that the current tenancy regime needs to change in order to reflect the needs of this diverse group of tenants many of whom now see the sector as a long term housing option rather than just a stepping stone to home ownership or accessing social rented housing. I am glad that the Council is backing the campaign which will support new private tenancy laws that will give stability, flexibility and a fair system for sorting out problems as well as predictable rents for tenants and landlords. check out the website site on

www.shelterscotland.org/makerentingright