Shelter Scotland has raised concerns there are thousands of landlords who "don't have a full grasp of their legal responsibilities".

The organisation has carried out pilot projects in Dundee and the Highlands to help landlords raise the standard of service for their tenants.

Out of the 542 cases carried out in the schemes first year, Private Landlord Support Officers found most landlords were keen to comply with legislation and at times to go beyond what was required to be a good landlord.

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However, hundreds of people renting out homes were found to not know about the rules that applied to them.

James Battye, Private Renting Project Manager, said: "It is reasonable to believe that what we have found in Dundee and the Highlands may well be true across Scotland. That means there could be thousands of landlords who don't have a full grasp of their legal responsibilities. Our Private Landlord Support project has highlighted this gap in support for inexperienced landlords and is creating a template for services that would benefit them and their tenants in the future."

The Private Landlord Support Service will continue in the Highlands and Dundee until March 2018.

(LM)