A WORKSHOP aiming to teach landlords how to maximise profit from property investments was shut down after protesters gathered outside the event in Edinburgh today. 

The demonstration, organised by tenants’ union Living Rent, took place outside the Doubletree Hilton Hotel where Homes Under the Hammer’s Martin Roberts was due to lead the class. 

The event boasted that it would teach landlords to “maximise their profits,” “make money while they sleep,” and “live the life they deserved,” but the protesters said that it would serve only to drive up rents and force tenants into poverty.

With scores of protesters gathered outside, the event lasted just half an hour before organisers were forced to call it off and attendees were ushered out.

Protester Eve Rogers said: “These people want to make fortunes while they sleep, but they can’t pretend that there are no ethical questions behind what they’re doing. 

“Nor can they expect tenants to simply sit back and let it happen while our lives are made a misery.

“This approach — treating a house as some kind of investment, rather than as a home for people to live in — is the root cause of so much homelessness, poverty, and shocking living conditions.”

Between 2010 and 2019, the Lothians saw the average rent for a two-bedroom property climb from £665 per month to £972.

Living Rent is now calling on the Scottish government to introduce rent controls to help improve the situation. 

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said that the government had acted to improve security and stability for tenants in the private sector, but gave no indication of support for the move.