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The private rented sector must play an even greater role in meeting housing need.

That was the call from Communities Minister, Stewart Maxwell, speaking at Shelter's housing conference in Edinburgh today.

Mr Maxwell set out the Scottish Government's wish to see an even greater involvement from the sector in light of the credit crunch.

He also highlighted the main objectives of the current review of private rented housing.

As well as ensuring that the sector is capable of delivering the right types of housing, in the right places it will also examine a range of options for increasing supply of rented housing for low income and homeless households.

In addition, it will promote partnership working between local authorities and private landlords and assess current trends alongside the views, experiences and aspirations of both landlords and tenants through large scale surveys.

The review will also consider international comparisons particularly where governments can pool together and use a raft of policy, fiscal and other tax incentives which can stimulate activity in the market.

The review will support the ongoing consultation on regulations to give local authorities greater flexibility to discharge homelessness duties in the private sector.

Mr Maxwell said

"In Firm Foundations we set out our aim to see a modern, vibrant private rented sector, able to meet housing need through the provision of good quality and well managed accommodation.

"Since then we have seen a downturn in global financial markets and the credit crunch lead to turbulence in the housing market.

"While we are confident Scotland's economy is well placed to address the challenges presented by the current economic climate, this Government will not just sit back and wait for conditions to improve.

"Last week the First Minister set out our vision for the housing market in this changing economic climate. In this context, our ambitions for the private rented sector to play a greater role in meeting housing need have become even more sharply focussed.

"It is worth reflecting on the achievements of the last year, including the effort that Councils have put in to successfully delivering landlord registration, the launch of the National Landlord Accreditation Scheme, and the introduction of the Repairing Standard.

"The Scottish Government believes that this sector can make a greater contribution to accommodate those in need of housing.

"This will only happen where there is a genuine spirit of partnership between national and local government and landlords, and a commitment from the sector to continue to drive up standards in letting practice. I certainly believe this is achievable."

A consultation currently running on homlessness focuses around changing secondary legislation to allow local authorities to discharge their duty to homeless households by ensuring provision of a short assured tenancy.

This is subject to certain conditions to support sustainability of the tenancy. The conditions proposed are that:

    * The tenancy should be for a minimum of 1 year
    * That the solution must be affordable for the household
    * That support is in place if required
    * That the applicant has received advice on their options and has given their written consent to proceed in this way

The closing date for the consultation is September 19, 2008.