Scottish Parliament Elections 2026: Propertymark publishes 10-point manifesto to tackle Scotland’s housing emergency
With the Scottish Parliament elections taking place on 7 May 2026, Propertymark has today published its Scottish Housing Manifesto, setting out a clear 10-point plan for the next Scottish Government to tackle the national housing emergency declared in May 2024.
Drawing directly on the experience of frontline property professionals across Scotland, the manifesto outlines practical and deliverable measures to increase housing supply, reduce the cost of renting, support skills and construction capacity, cut carbon emissions from buildings, and help people move more easily up and down the housing ladder.
Propertymark’s proposals call for urgent action to reform property taxation, boost social housebuilding, expand the construction and trades workforce, improve energy efficiency without undermining supply, and make better use of existing housing stock, including empty homes and underused retail space in town and city centres.
The manifesto also highlights the need for a more sustainable private rented sector, including national coordination of rent data, unfreezing Local Housing Allowance, and continued support for professional regulation of property agents to protect consumers and raise standards across the property industry.
Key recommendations include:
A full review of property taxation, including the abolition of the 8% Additional Dwelling Supplement
A significant and sustained programme of social housing delivery
Investment in construction skills to meet demand and support net zero goals
Tailored and realistic approaches to energy efficiency across Scotland’s diverse housing stock
Incentives to bring empty homes back into use and encourage downsizing among older homeowners
Repurposing vacant retail space to support city-centre living
Stronger regulation and professional standards for estate agents
Propertymark warns that without decisive and coordinated action, pressure will continue to intensify across all housing tenures, pushing up rents, limiting choice for consumers, and slowing progress towards Scotland’s climate targets.
With housing set to be a defining issue of the 2026 election, Propertymark is urging all political parties to engage with the manifesto and commit to policies that deliver more homes, better standards, and a housing system that works for everyone.
Propertymark’s full manifesto can be read here: Scottish Elections 2026: Our priorities for tackling the housing emergency | Propertymark
