Property industry body Propertymark has published housing manifestos ahead of the 2026 Scottish and Welsh Parliament elections, calling for reforms to address what it describes as significant housing market challenges in both nations.
The organisation has outlined a series of policy proposals including reforms to property taxes and transaction costs, measures to bring empty homes back into use, and revised approaches to energy efficiency standards that account for different property types.
Construction and regulation priorities
The manifestos call for increased investment in construction training and skills development, noting that builders currently operate without formal regulation. Propertymark states that additional housing supply is needed, alongside strengthened professional standards and regulation across the property sector.
The organisation argues that housing policy should be supported by transparent data and warns that without coordinated intervention, affordability challenges may intensify and consumer choice could diminish. This could result in higher rents, reduced transaction volumes, and weakened market confidence.
Cross-tenure concerns
Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, said: “Housing pressures are now being felt across every tenure and in every part of Scotland and Wales. 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.”
He added: “Without bold, evidence-based reform, affordability will worsen, supply will continue to fall short, and the consequences for households and local economies will deepen.”
The manifestos are available on Propertymark’s website ahead of the elections scheduled for later this year. Housing is expected to feature prominently in both electoral campaigns as pressure builds across rental and sales markets in both nations.
