Will Scotland’s new First Minister be good for estate agency?

New First Minister Humza Yousaf (main picture) is yet to set out how he will address housing issues in Scotland.

Yousaf has replaced Nicola Sturgeon, who was seen as the driving force behind the controversial rent cap and evictions ban north of the border.

He was regarded as the ‘continuity candidate’, and so is expected to largely follow Sturgeon’s policies.

It was Sturgeon who announced a rent freeze and ban on evictions in September, which were then included in the Cost of Living (Tenants) (Scotland) Bill 2022.

The Scottish Government later dropped the rent freeze proposal from April in a major U-turn, and changed it to a 3% rent cap for six months, with higher increases up to 6% allowed in exceptional cases.

Dismay

Yousaf waded into the controversy over second homes during the leadership campaign. He said he wanted to give local councils the power to raise council tax charges on second homes.

He also made a promise to buy up empty homes and give them to key workers, pledging £25 million to pay for this plan.

His election as SNP leader and First Minister was met with some dismay in Scotland amongst property industry leaders.

If he does persist with the existing housing policy of Nicola Sturgeon then I foresee some very difficult times for Scotland’s tenants.”

David Alexander, CEO of DJ Alexander Scotland, says the election result “is concerning for the housing sector given that he stood as the continuity candidate”.

“If he does persist with the existing housing policy of Nicola Sturgeon then I foresee some very difficult times for Scotland’s tenants.

“The low numbers of social housing, the reluctance to support housebuilding, and the negative attitude toward the private rented sector have all resulted in fewer homes for Scots, rising rents, increased evictions for tenants, and a housing waiting list that numbers in the hundreds of thousands.”