Scotland’s housing crisis is undeniable. Thousands of people need homes, but supply isn’t keeping up. Build-to-Rent (BTR) developments – where investors finance large-scale, high-quality rental properties – could play a significant role in addressing this gap.
However, progress is stalling. Around 14,000 new homes are stuck in the planning process, and that’s a setback we simply cannot afford.
This isn’t just an abstract issue. A housing shortage impacts real lives. Families are crammed into unsuitable spaces, young professionals are priced out of cities, and employers struggle to attract talent when affordable housing is scarce. We need these homes now – not years down the line.
The benefits of BTR developments are clear. These aren’t just cookie-cutter flats – they’re modern, professionally managed homes, often equipped with gyms, co-working areas, and other amenities. Glasgow’s Holland Park by Moda Living and Edinburgh’s Bonnington project by Platform are great examples of how such developments can deliver hundreds of homes while rejuvenating local areas.
Perhaps the most compelling advantage of BTR is speed. These projects are designed to get homes built faster than traditional methods. So why aren’t we seeing more of them across Scotland?
The answer lies in uncertainty. Investors are hesitant to commit because Scotland’s housing policies feel unpredictable. The rent freeze introduced in 2022 came without consultation, leaving investors blindsided. Now, with discussions of national rent controls in the proposed Housing (Scotland) Bill, investors are asking themselves, “Why take the risk here when other UK cities are more stable?”
In Manchester, BTR developments have added over 10,000 homes in the past five years, creating vibrant neighbourhoods and boosting local economies. Scotland could easily replicate this success with the right policies in place.
It’s a missed opportunity. Both Edinburgh and Glasgow rank among the UK’s top cities for residential investment potential. In fact, a recent report highlights Edinburgh as the leading UK city outside London for foreign direct investment in housing. We have the demand, the locations, and willing investors—yet the process is bogged down by red tape and mixed signals.
So, how do we fix this? First, the government needs to create a stable and transparent environment for investment. Businesses don’t want special treatment, they just want clarity. A clear, consistent housing strategy, developed in partnership with the industry, would rebuild investor confidence.
Second, we must streamline the planning system. At present, projects can sit in limbo for years, creating costly delays. By making the process more efficient – without compromising on quality or safety – we can unlock housing faster.
Finally, collaboration is key. Developers, local councils, and the government all share the same goal: delivering more homes. By working together, we can align priorities and create a smoother path from planning to completion. Other UK cities have forged these kinds of partnerships, and there’s no reason Scotland cannot do the same.
BTR developments aren’t just about profit—they’re a practical solution to a pressing problem. They provide homes that people need now, elevate the quality of rental properties, and support the economy by creating high quality jobs in construction and beyond. BTR has the potential to drive regeneration, create community hubs, and benefit local economies through increased footfall and consumer spending.
There’s also a long-term benefit: building more homes helps to stabilise rents and makes housing more affordable. It’s simple economics—when supply increases, prices tend to level out. Blocking progress only worsens the crisis.
Scotland has everything it needs to lead the way: vibrant cities, skilled workers, and investors eager to contribute. But if we continue to make it difficult for those investors, they’ll take their resources elsewhere, and we’ll lose out on thousands of homes that could ease the crisis.
It’s time to prioritise action with developers seen as partners. With clear policies, a faster planning process, and a collaborative approach, we can turn those 14,000 homes from plans on paper into places where people can live. The solution is within reach – let’s seize it.
Scottish Budget Brings Anxiety and Anticipation
Scotland waits with bated breath for the Scottish Budget announcement on Wednesday.
It’s difficult to predict what will be in store with mixed messages from the Scottish and UK Governments.
The Finance Secretary and First Minister have been warning for some time that it is “facing the most difficult financial situation since the Scottish Parliament reconvened in 1999”. But the UK Government claims it is “providing the largest funding package in the history of devolution.”
Key topics likely to be high on the agenda include the potential for another council tax freeze for 2025/26, something local authorities will not welcome and could result in council services being squeezed further.
It’s likely the Scottish Government will follow the UK Government in introducing means testing for winter fuel payments, resulting in 900,000 fewer pensioners in Scotland getting the payment.
They are also being urged to follow the UK Government’s business rates relief – something that the Scottish retail and hospitality sectors have been particularly vocal on.
The hospitality industry highlighted that the current non-domestic rates system unfairly penalises the hospitality businesses which pay business rates based on their turnover, while other sectors, such as retail, pay business rates based on their square footage.
Meanwhile the Scottish Retail Consortium shared concerns over flatlining sales and very limited growth in footfall, while statutory costs such as the UK Government’s decision to increase employers’ national insurance contributions, are rising.
Let’s hope the Finance Secretary takes their warnings seriously and this is reflected in Wednesday’s announcement.
It Made Me Laugh
Pint-Sized Priorities
You might think that being close to good schools, having excellent transport links or a supermarket handy would top the list of priorities when it comes to choosing a new home, but research has revealed that it’s actually a good local pub that Scots are after.
A campaign by Long Live the Local showed 40 per cent think a good local is a key consideration and 39 per cent would visit the local pub to get a feel for the area’s atmosphere before committing to a move.
It just goes to show that many people still consider pubs to be the heart of the community and it’s great to see a campaign encouraging Scots to support their local.
It Made Me Weep
Farmer Falls Victim to £28k Invoice Scam
I came across a terrifying story of a farmer from Fife who paid £28,000 to scammers thinking they were his suppliers.
The scammers had managed to hack his email account and cloned real invoices from Alan Steven’s suppliers, only changing the bank details, which made the request for payment look very convincing.
Alan’s story was shared as part of BBC’s Scam Safe Week and just goes to show that it’s not just individuals scammers target. Businesses must be super vigilant to ensure they aren’t the victim of these complex scams too.
I couldn’t believe how prevalent it is, invoice scams like this attributed around £50 million of the money lost to fraud last year.
