Opinion

Letting agent Riccardo Giovanacci argues that Scotland needs to attract more landlords into the private rented sector, rather than continuing to drive them away. In an ideal world, home ownership would be the accepted way for everyone to live, with people enjoying the security, warmth, shelter

Steph Elliot from the SFHA returns with the monthly TECH column with a focus on work going on, in and around the TECH community. This month, she highlights a grant-funded Test of Change opportunity that relates to fire safety. From February this year, every home in Scotland is now required to h

Andrew Diamond, partner and head of residential property at Lindsays, reveals how ‘subject to purchase’ bids hold potential for unlocking opportunities to bring more homes on to market as well as greater buying power. Contract clauses which make home sales subject to the seller buying th

Craig McClaren talks about the Royal Town Planning Institute's project to build on the strength of the nations and regions so it can better meet its members' needs. The RTPI’s nations and regions are an incredibly important part of the Institute that work within and across a diverse range of c

DM Hall property expert Calum Allmond believes it's time for a fresh look at the many ways an Energy Performance Certificate can be beneficial to property owners. In the same way that Home Reports have become an accepted part of the residential property market so have Energy Performance Certificates

As part of Scotland Excel’s ‘Supporting the journey to net zero’ campaign, Caitriona Jordan, head of retrofit programmes at Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST), looks at the skills needed in the construction industry to support decarbonisation. Decarbonisation

Alan McIntosh, managing director of Advice Talks Ltd, which operates the www.advicescotland.com website, is calling on money advisers to think differently about the energy debt crisis. As we all sit on a precipice waiting to find out how much the energy price cap will rise in October, and whether th

In a guest blog for the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE), Pedro Cameron from Housing Options Scotland highlights the link between homelessness and inequality, and explains why it’s crucial for local authorities to embed Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Accessibility (IDEA

As part of Scotland Excel’s ‘Supporting the journey to net zero’ campaign, David Pierpoint, chief executive officer at The Retrofit Academy, explores the skills gap in the retrofit sector and what’s needed to decarbonise housing stock in Scotland. Scotland, like the rest of t

Chris McGinn at PfH Scotland gives an overview of the new domestic retrofit standard, PAS 2035, and provides advice for housing associations and local authorities on how to prepare for and cope with the changes. Last year a new domestic retrofit standard was introduced to Scotland and acro

Margaret Corrigan from Cunninghame Housing Association's Lemon Aid Fuel Poverty & Advisory Service provides some detail on the issue of low carbon heating systems vs affordability for tenants. Energy prices have risen at unprecedented rates in the past year, and it is estimated that a further 80

Calum Allmond, associate and head of architectural services at DM Hall, discusses the building warrants and permissions needed for home improvements in Scotland. Scotland’s housing market continues to boom with prices reaching unprecedented levels, so perhaps this is a good time to put your ho

Paul Kelly argues that more collaboration and regular communications with planning authorities is required to get projects moving. It’s no surprise to me that the number of affordable homes started in the last quarter has decreased significantly from the same period last year. For private sale

To protect customers, the UK government has introduced a new code of practice and ombudsman scheme applying to all private buyers of new homes for owner-occupation anywhere in the UK. Finlay Campbell explains the details. The New Homes Quality Board (NHQB), an independent body established by Westmin

As part of Scotland Excel’s ‘Supporting the journey to net zero’ campaign, John Renwick, sector manager construction at ESP, reveals how Scotland’s colleges are transitioning at pace to develop low carbon heat and energy efficiency training facilities. The Scottish Government