Yesterday, Shelter Scotland called on the new SNP leader to create a cabinet-level post dedicated to housing, declare a national housing emergency and commit to urgent action to end it.

Now NUS Scotland president Ellie Gomersall has written to Mr Swinney to ensure that rent control legislation “brings prices down and applies to all students”.

The letter highlights research by NUS that showed that 12% of students have experienced homelessness, welcomes the publication of the Scottish Government’s Housing Bill in March and urges the new First Minister to continue this work.

However, NUS continues to call for the provisions of the bill to be strengthened to ensure that rent controls bring prices down to affordable levels, and that loopholes which exclude Purpose Built Student Accommodation from the regulations are closed so that everyone is protected equally.

NUS Scotland president Ellie Gomersall said: “NUS congratulates John Swinney on his election as leader of the SNP and First Minister, and we hope that he listens to student voices and sets us on a path to a better future.

“Scotland’s students are struggling amidst almost countless crises - and our three asks, if fulfilled, would be a first step from the government in demonstrating commitment to supporting us.

“This letter should not be taken as a list of demands, but a hand of support, asking the government to work with students to benefit of all Scotland and build a fairer future for all.

“The First Minister has said that he wants this to be a ‘new chapter’ for Scotland, and that tackling poverty remains a key priority. His words must be matched with real action. We believe the first page he writes must contain a move away from the government’s chronic underfunding of colleges, and towards affordable student housing and public transport.”

Conversely, Propertymark has pinned its hopes on rent control legislation being brought to an end with the dissolution of the Bute House Agreement.

Under the Agreement, the Greens’ co-leader, Patrick Harvie was minister for tenants’ rights and led much of that particular legislative agenda.

From 1 April 2023, the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 meant that rent caps for private tenancies could only increase by 3% up until 30 September 2023, with the choice to extend for an additional six-month period if necessary. Holyrood then voted for a final six-month period to extend the Cost of Living regulations until 31 March 2024.

Propertymark highlighters surveys with member agents based in Scotland between October 2022 and May 2023 about the impact of the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act, which pointed to the “devastating impact” the law has had on the private rental sector. According to the surveys, 100% of agents say that they have witnessed more landlords looking to leave the private rented sector, while 97% of agents have witnessed an increase in the number of landlords serving notice to sell because of the Act. In addition, the Act resulted in 100% of agents finding that landlords are now more willing to increase rents between tenancies due to the legislation.

Instead, the professional body said it would like to see the Scottish Government review all costs and taxes impacting private landlords and significantly reduce the 6% Additional Dwelling Supplement on purchases of buy-to-let property to increase the supply of homes to rent and incentivise landlords. Additionally, the long-term solution to address the lack of affordability in the private rented sector is to ensure that more social housing is built to reduce housing need.

Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, said: “Propertymark congratulates John Swinney on his appointment as the new leader of the SNP and First Minister of Scotland. Tackling the housing emergency in Scotland must be front and centre of his leadership. Having previously held senior positions within the Scottish Government, Propertymark member agents will be looking to Mr Swinney to confront the challenges the housing market faces head on and work with the sector to ensure housing plays a positive role in building the economy, improving health and supporting job creation.”

Jane Wood, chief executive of Homes for Scotland, added: “With the housing crisis intensifying across the country, impacting both social and economic outcomes, there is a pressing need for dedicated, single-issue leadership at Cabinet level in order to reflect both the urgency of the situation and the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring that we have the range of homes that Scotland requires for its future wellbeing and success. Homes for Scotland and its members stand ready to work positively and constructively with the new administration to achieve this.”