Scotland’s housebuilding plummets following rent controls

Scotland’s housebuilding plummets following rent controls

0:02 AM, 27th June 2024, About 3 days ago 3

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Housebuilding in Scotland has taken a significant hit since rent controls were introduced.

According to Scottish government figures, only 16,404 new homes were started in 2023/24, which is 3,000 fewer than the previous year.

In the private sector, the number of new homes started fell to 12,904, down 16% and the lowest number since 2014/15. This number is even lower than during the pandemic.

Social homes built at lowest levels since 2020

The number of social homes completed has dropped by 27%, hitting its lowest level since 2020-21.

The number of new social homes being started is the lowest since 2015-16.

Shelter Scotland said the continued decline in social housing delivery was an inevitable consequence of repeated cuts to the affordable housing supply programme at Holyrood.

Shelter Scotland director, Alison Watson, said: “The continued decline in the number of social homes being delivered is the inevitable, and entirely foreseeable, consequence of repeated cuts to the housing budget.

“Investing in social housing means investing in people’s health and in our communities. Delivering more social housing is the only way to provide permanent homes for the 10,000 children in Scotland who are trapped in temporary accommodation. So, ultimately, investing in social homes is also investing in Scotland’s future.”

Scotland is facing a housing emergency

Miles Briggs, the Scottish Tories’ shadow housing secretary, told the Daily Telegraph that many people in Scotland are suffering due to the housing crisis.

He said: “After 17 years of SNP inaction, Scotland is facing a housing emergency, yet the SNP have totally failed to address this crisis, leaving thousands of Scots stuck in temporary accommodation.

He added: “Despite rent control schemes not working anywhere else in the world, the disastrous SNP-Green coalition – backed yet again by Scottish Labour – ploughed ahead with the flawed policy anyway.”

Paul McLennan, the SNP’s housing minister, blamed Westminster for cuts to the housing budget.

He told the Daily Telegraph: “I recently outlined the Scottish Government’s plan to tackle the housing emergency with three key pillars forming part of our approach: more high quality, permanent homes, the right homes in the right places and a permanent home for everyone.”


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Comments

Cider Drinker

9:09 AM, 27th June 2024, About 2 days ago

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that many tenants rent property because they don’t want to buy a property. This could be for many reasons such as affordability or wishing to retain the flexibility to move house with ease.

It also shouldn’t come as a surprise that landlords are exiting the sector thanks, in a large part, to the bullying from government and Local Authorities.

So, it should come as no surprise that house builders won’t build as many new properties knowing they know that they will struggle to sell them.

Reluctant Landlord

9:36 AM, 27th June 2024, About 2 days ago

yet still they seem to believe it's because they are not receiving enough money to build.

Takes time to build anything yet in the interim they have the PRS to help - but no - instead decimate this at the same time.

foot and shoot spring to mind.
idiots.

John Grefe

10:39 AM, 27th June 2024, About 2 days ago

I won't touch Scotland with a long pole. The MPs are thinking in the past without learning from the mistakes! Section 24 wasn't a good idea put in place by Osbourne, A Tory! Governments ought to stop meddling, using it as an easy political football. The tenants lose really, we could sell up(interesting), way away and enjoy a more peaceful life??

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