The main political parties are falling short on urgency in addressing Scotland’s housing emergency, with few short-term measures likely to ease current pressures, according to DJ Alexander.
Scotland’s largest lettings and estate agency believes there is broad agreement across party manifestos that housebuilding must increase. However, the firm argues that most proposals lack immediate impact, with some policies potentially adding further strain to an already constrained market.
The SNP, in power for two decades, continues to focus on its existing pledge to deliver 110,000 affordable homes between 2020 and 2031. However, this target is widely seen as unlikely to be met and, critics argue, does little to address current supply shortages. Additional proposals include a £10,000 first-time buyer grant and a tenant first-refusal scheme on properties sold by landlords at “fair market value”.
The Conservatives set out the most extensive housing-related agenda, including scrapping proposed rent controls to encourage private rented sector investment, removing the Building Safety Levy, abandoning net zero requirements for housing development, and overhauling planning rules. They also propose abolishing Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) and reducing the Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS), measures they argue would significantly reduce the cost of buying property.
Labour has set a target of 50,000 affordable homes over the next parliamentary term and 125,000 homes across all tenures over five years—levels not achieved since the mid-2000s. Its proposals also include increased construction training, the creation of Housing Development Trusts at local level, and closer engagement with the private rented sector, which it acknowledges plays a key role in housing supply.
The Liberal Democrats propose a new national housing strategy, increased social housing delivery, and measures aimed at stabilising and restoring confidence in the private rented sector.
Reform sets a target of 15,000 new homes per year and would repeal SNP tenancy reforms for new lets while leaving existing tenancies unchanged.
The Greens propose 15,700 new homes annually, alongside tighter controls on student and build-to-rent developments. They also back the introduction of rent controls at local authority level, including for student housing, and the removal of the current 6% rent cap.
Overall, DJ Alexander Ltd concludes that while housing features prominently across all manifestos, the gap between ambition and deliverability remains significant, particularly given the scale and immediacy of Scotland’s housing pressures.
David Alexander, the chief executive officer of DJ Alexander Scotland, commented: “Everyone agrees that more homes need to be built in Scotland but while these manifestos recognise this there remains a need for an overall strategy with a sense of urgency. The More Homes Scotland body proposed by the SNP isn’t due to be established for at least another year and there is little sense that much will change in the short to medium term.”
“Easing planning regulations, accessing funding through the Scottish Investment Bank in the case of the Labour party or through pension fund assets by the SNP may be sound ideas but the clear way to ensure more housebuilding occurs is to limit building restrictions, encourage investment, and make Scotland an attractive place for homebuyers, property investors, and landlords to come. It is encouraging to see that Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats are all keen to maintain and develop relations with the private rented sector to ensure that it is able to continue to play its pivotal role in providing homes for people in Scotland.”
He added: “While there is concern that, regardless of the result on the 7th of May, the housing sector ends up experiencing more of the same. Post election there may simply be more indecision, more delays, and more unnecessary regulation which hampers investment. I would hope that whatever the composition of the new Scottish government that they will put housing at the top of the agenda and ensure that the current housing emergency is addressed and does not exist in five years’ time. Anything less would be a disgrace.”
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