Housing policies are emerging as a decisive factor for voters ahead of the Scottish elections on 7 May 2026. A recent poll by Shelter Scotland reveals that more than half of Scottish voters would consider switching their regional ballot vote if another party presented clear and appealing plans to tackle the ongoing housing emergency.

Voters prioritise housing solutions

The poll, conducted by the Diffley Partnership and published by Shelter Scotland, highlights the prominence of housing issues in the minds of Scottish voters. According to the findings, 57% of respondents would contemplate changing their second vote to support parties offering effective housing policies. This indicates a significant potential for housing platforms to influence election outcomes at Holyrood.

Housing and homelessness rank above other critical concerns such as education, climate change, and crime when voters consider what will shape their constituency and regional list voting decisions. This underscores the urgency with which the electorate views the housing crisis.

Strong support for building social homes

The poll reveals that 73% of Scots support building more social homes as the preferred strategy to end homelessness. This policy outstrips other popular measures, including rent controls (66%), planning reform (60%), and grants for first-time buyers (59%).

Gordon Llewellyn-MacRae, assistant director of Shelter Scotland, emphasises the importance of this finding. He states: “People in Scotland know there is a housing emergency, they support social house building as the best solution and it significantly impacts on their decisions as voters.”

He further criticises the long-term decline in social housing, linking it to rising homelessness and insufficient new builds. Llewellyn-MacRae highlights the financial strain on councils forced to divert resources from essential services to fund temporary accommodation for homeless individuals. “It is an outrage that every party leader knows the solution is to build more social homes, but they seem too scared to act,” he adds.

Controversy over SNP’s tenant right to buy proposal

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has proposed a policy granting renters an exclusive period to purchase their home at a “fair market rate” if their landlord decides to sell. This initiative aims to empower tenants but has met criticism from the Scottish Conservatives, who argue it could “spook landlords.”

The Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) also expresses concerns, pointing out a lack of clarity around what constitutes a “fair market price.” This ambiguity could create uncertainty for landlords considering selling their properties.

Housing policy as a vote-switching factor

Mark Diffley, founder and director of Diffley Partnership, notes the clear link between housing policy and voter behaviour. “Scots are aware of the housing emergency, are concerned about its impacts and there’s an appetite for the new parliament to present a plan to address the housing emergency early on,” he says.

Diffley highlights that the poll data suggests housing policies could sway voters’ second votes, with many willing to switch allegiance if another party offers more compelling solutions.

What this means for landlords

For landlords, the growing political focus on housing policies signals a potentially shifting regulatory and market environment. Proposals like the SNP’s tenant right to buy could alter the dynamics of property ownership and sales, while calls for increased social housing may impact demand and investment priorities.

Landlords should monitor these developments closely, as the election outcomes could lead to new legislative frameworks affecting rental markets and property management practices. Engagement with policy discussions and preparedness for possible changes will be crucial in navigating the evolving landscape.

Source: Based on reporting from Property118

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