## Propertymark Publishes Housing Manifestos for Scotland and Wales

Propertymark has unveiled housing manifestos targeting the upcoming Scottish and Welsh elections in May 2026. The organisation’s proposals aim to tackle the growing pressures on housing markets that affect landlords, renters, buyers, and sellers alike. Drawing on the expertise of property professionals working directly within these markets, the manifestos focus on improving housing supply, affordability, environmental standards, and regulatory frameworks.

## Urgent Action Required to Address Housing Pressures

Timothy Douglas, Propertymark’s head of policy and campaigns, emphasises the widespread nature of housing challenges across all tenures in Scotland and Wales. He states, “These manifestos are grounded in the day-to-day experience of property professionals, and they set out practical, deliverable solutions that the next governments can act on immediately.” Douglas warns that without bold, evidence-based reforms, affordability will deteriorate further, supply will remain insufficient, and the negative impacts on households and local economies will intensify.

For landlords, this highlights the importance of upcoming policy changes that could affect rental costs, property standards, and market dynamics. Staying informed on these developments will be crucial for managing investment risks and opportunities.

## Scotland’s 10-Point Plan to Tackle the Housing Emergency

In response to the national housing emergency declared in Scotland in May 2024, Propertymark has produced a 10-point manifesto aimed at alleviating the crisis. Key priorities include reducing rental costs and increasing housing supply, which are critical for landlords seeking a balanced and sustainable private rented sector.

The manifesto also stresses the need to expand construction skills, which could help accelerate new homebuilding and refurbishment projects. Additionally, it advocates improving energy efficiency standards without diminishing the number of homes available to rent, a significant consideration for landlords facing evolving environmental regulations.

Measures to support more households in entering the housing market are also proposed, potentially impacting demand for rental properties as more people access homeownership.

## Welsh Manifesto Focuses on Sustainability and Data-Driven Policy

Propertymark’s Welsh manifesto prioritises increasing housing supply alongside enhancing the quality and availability of housing data to inform policy decisions. This data-driven approach aims to create more effective and targeted interventions in the housing market.

The manifesto also supports high street regeneration and encourages housing decarbonisation efforts, reflecting broader environmental goals. For landlords in Wales, the call for a sustainable private rented sector signals potential future regulations and incentives designed to balance environmental improvements with rental market viability.

## Shared Themes: Tax Reform, Empty Homes, and Skills Development

Both manifestos highlight several common themes, including calls for changes to property taxes and transaction costs that currently influence investment decisions and housing mobility. Propertymark also identifies empty homes and underused buildings as opportunities to increase housing availability by bringing these properties back into productive use.

Skills and training within the construction sector are emphasised as essential to meeting housing demand and improving quality. Energy efficiency measures are recommended to be tailored by property type rather than applying uniform targets, which could affect landlords differently depending on their property portfolios.

Finally, the manifestos advocate for stronger regulation, improved enforcement, and higher professional standards across the property sector, aiming to raise confidence and quality in housing provision.

## What This Means for UK Landlords

Landlords in Scotland and Wales should prepare for potential policy shifts that may influence rental affordability, property standards, and investment incentives. The focus on practical, evidence-based reforms suggests that changes will be targeted and actionable, with an emphasis on sustainability and market balance. Engaging with these developments early will help landlords adapt to evolving regulatory landscapes and maintain successful lettings businesses.

Suggested internal link anchors
– housing supply
– rental affordability
– energy efficiency standards
– private rented sector
– property taxes
– construction skills
– housing decarbonisation
– housing data
– regulation and enforcement
– housing emergency
– high street regeneration
– housing market reforms

TLA update

TLA is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. We are inviting legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/