Member

I also oppose Lords amendment 18, which would reduce the restricted period from 12 months to six months. The Nationwide Foundation found that one in five landlord sale evictions in Scotland did not end up with the sale of a property. It is so clear that this changed period would make it far too easy for landlords and agents to claim they are selling the property, only to re-let it at a higher rent shortly after. Let us leave no loopholes for rogue landlords. A no-let period, with financial penalties for breaches, provides a clear and significant deterrent against such behaviour, but six months is too short to deter abuse—especially for landlords with large portfolios. Twelve months is an effective deterrent against unlawful, dishonest eviction, and we should keep that measure.