Scottish Government under fire for failing to address ‘housing emergency’

Propertymark has launched a fierce attack on the Scottish Government for failing to properly address the country’s ‘housing emergency’.

A ‘Programme for Government’ announced by First Minister John Swinney (pictured) this week fails to address serious issues such as rising rents and a lack of affordable housing, the trade body says.

Barely mentioned

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, says: “Despite the ongoing welcome commitment to the First Homes Fund and affordable homes, housing was barely mentioned by the First Minister in his Programme for Government speech, which is surprising considering the ongoing housing emergency that Scotland faces.

“Furthermore, for all the words about strengthening the economy, there was no mention of reducing costs and taxes for renters and home buyers and sellers.”

Measures to deal with property taxes and landlord costs were missing from the programme, Douglas says.

A reduced tax burden for landlords means fewer costs being passed on to tenants.”

“History shows us that when property taxation is lowered or removed, transactions increase in the sales market, while a reduced tax burden for landlords means fewer costs being passed on to tenants via higher rents.”

He also called for “a better-resourced First Tier Tribunal” that forms part of the Scottish Government’s reorganisation.

He says: “Plans for a right of first refusal for tenants to buy their rented property must also be workable and evidence based.”

He adds: “The Council Tax (Scotland) Bill will introduce two extra bands for the Mansion Tax, a measure that will only target a small minority of properties and risks this end of the market being held up by disputes over valuations and administration.”