SNP Proposes First Refusal Rights for Tenants
Private tenants in Scotland would be granted "first refusal" to purchase their rental homes if landlords decide to sell, under plans announced by John Swinney should the SNP win the upcoming Holyrood election.
According to the proposal, when a property owner lists their home for sale, tenants would receive an exclusive period to buy the property at a fair market rate.
The Scottish Conservatives criticized the proposal as an "ill thought out" plan likely to create new challenges. Meanwhile, Labour and the Liberal Democrats accused the SNP of repeatedly failing to address the housing crisis during their tenure.
Other parties have also presented housing policies: Reform UK advocates prioritizing local residents on housing lists, while the Scottish Greens call for more ambitious measures.
Background: Housing Emergency and Market Conditions
In 2024, the Scottish Parliament declared a national housing emergency due to a severe shortage of social homes, rising homelessness, and increasing property prices.
Data from Registers of Scotland indicates that the average property price in Scotland rose to £188,000 in January 2026.
In Edinburgh, the average home price reached £294,000, surpassing the UK average of £268,000.
Average monthly rental costs, heavily influenced by prices in the capital, now stand at £1,022, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Details of the First Refusal Policy
John Swinney introduced the first refusal policy during a campaign visit to Inverness, emphasizing its potential to assist those struggling to enter the property market.
He highlighted the impact of high rental costs on tenants' ability to save for a deposit and stated that the plan aims to prevent renters from being excluded from homeownership.
"So many people are stuck paying more on rent than they would on a mortgage - and with costs just going up and up, there is nothing left over at the end of the month to save for a deposit," Swinney said.
"That is made all the more difficult when private renters find themselves having to leave their home because the owner has decided to sell up. As well as forcing people to upend their whole lives, it also has serious financial implications.
That is why I will give renters the right to first refusal on the home they live in - at a fair market rate - if the owner of the property decides to sell."
"This will help people to put down roots and to feel secure in their own home - without the risk of being turfed out against their will."
In addition to the first refusal proposal, Swinney promised the creation of a new housing agency and reforms to the planning system.
Responses from Other Political Parties
Scottish Labour's housing spokesman, Mark Griffin, criticized the SNP for allowing housebuilding to "collapse" and accused the party of failing to resolve the housing crisis.
"The idea that establishing yet another quango - taking more of taxpayers' money - will fundamentally fix this situation is misguided and could represent poor value for money," Griffin said.
"Scottish Labour will deliver the most ambitious housebuilding programme in the history of devolution with 125,000 new homes, so families have the safe, secure homes they need, and home ownership can be within reach for the next generation."
The Scottish Conservatives housing spokeswoman, Meghan Gallacher, argued that the SNP's plans would make it "harder for homes to be brought to the market." She also criticized rent controls implemented by the SNP, stating rents rose faster in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK.
"The SNP, backed by Labour and the Greens, have already implemented damaging housing policies like rent controls that saw rents rise faster in Scotland than any other part of the UK," Gallacher said.
"The Scottish Conservatives would instead slash housebuilding regulations to build more homes and abolish the tax on buying a home to get more people on the housing ladder."
The Scottish Liberal Democrats accused the SNP of failing to respond adequately to the national housing emergency, noting repeated re-announcements of commitments amid a collapse in affordable homebuilding rates.
The Scottish Greens framed housing as a human right and proposed a significant expansion of public and social housing to reduce rents. They also support permanent rent controls.
Reform UK opposes rent controls and contends that SNP policies have exacerbated the housing crisis. The party advocates for faster planning processes and prioritizing local residents for housing.
Additional SNP Housing Initiatives and Challenges
The SNP has pledged to establish a £100 million first homes fund if re-elected, offering first-time buyers up to £10,000 towards a deposit. Under this scheme, the government would take a stake in the property, repaid upon sale.
At the previous Holyrood election, the SNP committed to delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032. However, current figures suggest the target is unlikely to be met without accelerated housebuilding.
Financial pressures led to a reduction of approximately £200 million in the affordable housing budget in the SNP's 2024-25 budget, although some of this cut was later reversed.
