Scottish Conservatives blame SNP for housing emergency

The Scottish Conservatives claim the SNP have caused a housing emergency in Scotland.

The party’s manifesto says the rent cap introduced by the SNP “has backfired and made landlords leave the market”.

The Scottish Conservatives pledge to oppose rent controls and introduce a rent-to-own model.

Landlords leaving the market

The SNP claim in their manifesto that Westminster and Brexit are to blame for Scotland’s housing crisis.

However, the Scottish Conservatives argue that the SNP’s own policies are at fault.

The party’s manifesto said: “Scotland is facing a housing emergency caused by the SNP, which even their government has been forced to acknowledge.

“Their rent cap has backfired just like we warned it would, leading to rents rising faster than anywhere in the UK, while also leading to landlords leaving the market.

“The Scottish Conservatives will continue to oppose rent caps, while ensuring that renters get a fair deal.”

End homelessness in Scotland

The Scottish Conservatives pledge to pilot a rent-to-own model – which would see the government give renters back a quarter of their rent to help them purchase the property that they live in.

Other policies include plans to end homelessness in Scotland.

The party’s manifesto said: “It is a national scandal that open homelessness cases in Scotland have reached a record high level, when the SNP promised that it would be eradicated by 2026.

“The Scottish Conservatives would introduce a national Housing First programme to end homelessness in Scotland.”

The party also pledges for compulsory Sales Orders for long-term unoccupied properties.