Nicola Sturgeon, who has had the longest tenure of any Scottish first minister, announced her plans to resign yesterday, standing down with no obvious successor in place and dealing a blow to the fight for independence, while also presenting an opportunity for a change of approach on housing policy north of the border.

Sturgeon, 52, said she would stay on until her Scottish National Party (SNP) had completed the process of finding a successor.

“In my head and in my heart, I know that time is now, that is right for me, for my party and my country,” she said at a news conference in Edinburgh.

David Alexander, CEO of DJ Alexander Scotland, wants to see her successor do more to support those investing in the housing market, particularly buy-to-let landlords.

Alexander commented: “The unexpected resignation of Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister provides an opportunity for a change of approach on housing policy in Scotland. I would hope that the next Scottish leader would adopt a more conciliatory, reasoned approach to the housing sector consulting widely to produce policy which reflects the reality of all parts of the market.”

“There is an urgent need to address the long-term housing shortage in the social sector, there must be encouragement to sustain and grow the private rented sector, and there needs to be a welcoming investment environment to ensure we have a steady flow of new housing for future home buyers.”

He continued: “There has too often been a confrontational approach to the private rented sector in Scotland and this was part of the reasoning which produced the recent rent freeze and ban on evictions. I think the new leader of the SNP needs to understand that the private rented sector is an essential and integral part of the housing market and that this sector will be improved by working closely with those involved in investing, in letting, and in renting homes in Scotland. Only in this way will we have a system that works for landlords and tenants.”

“We need a housing sector which reflects the changing needs of Scotland’s population, and this should involve encouragement and investment in all sectors of housing to ensure that demand is met. In this way we will have a steady flow of housing which meets the needs of the changing Scottish market.”

Sturgeon became SNP leader in the wake of its 2014 independence referendum when the country voted 55% to 45% to remain as part of the United Kingdom, leading to the departure of predecessor Alex Salmond.

She led her party to a resounding success at the 2015 UK general election, winning 56 of 59 seats in Scotland and establishing it as Britain’s third-largest party, before she retained control over the devolved parliament at more recent elections.

Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, said: “There is no doubt that Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement that she will resign from her position of First Minister is a sizeable development in Scottish politics.

“She is the driving force behind the SNP who have won elections and continued in power during her leadership.

“Throughout this time the housing and property sector in Scotland has gone through significant change.

“We’ve seen the introduction of letting agent regulation and registration, increased tax burdens on those wishing to buy property as a landlord or second homeowner and more recently a continued desire from her administration to introduce damaging long-term rent control measures.

“A change of leadership can often lead to a shift in focus but on its own is unlikely to restore confidence among investors who ultimately can unlock increased supply for tenants and better-quality homes for all.

“Propertymark stands ready to work with her successor to deliver proportionate and workable solutions for the sector that are based on evidence.”