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First Minister of Scotland and SNP Leader John Swinney during a visit to the Harris Tweed Authority, in Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, whilst campaigning for the upcoming Holyrood election, April 9, 2026
RENTERS will be given the right of first refusal if landlords decide to sell their homes if the SNP is re-elected in next month’s elections, Scotland’s First Minister promised today.
John Swinney pledged ahead of the Holyrood elections that tenants would be given priority to buy the property they are living in “at a fair market rate” if their landlord puts it on the market.
Renters’ union Living Rent hit back at the First Minister’s pledge, which they said would change nothing for most Scottish tenants who are concerned with paying rent and are not able to buy a house.
The group’s spokesperson Cameron Beattie told the Morning Star: “Right now, rent is up to half of the poorest tenants’ salary. This means it is impossible for tenants to save, let alone buy property.
“This policy will do nothing unless the next government brings down rents.
“In order to deliver for Scotland’s tenants, the next government needs to commit to bringing rents down so that everyone has access to a safe, secure, affordable home.”
Mr Swinney made the announcement ahead of a visit to Inverness today, claiming such first refusal could “help people to put down roots and to feel secure in their own home.”
The SNP previously said it would help first-time buyers through the creation of a £100 million First Homes Fund, which would allow renters to access £10,000 in help towards a deposit on a property.
“Too many young people are being locked out of home ownership as a result of the cost-of-living crisis,” Mr Swinney said.
“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.”
He claimed the SNPs first refusal promise 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.”
Mr Swinney claimed another SNP term would mean more “serious action to support our young people and unlocking the dream of home ownership for a generation that has been badly let down by Westminster.”
