Research and Briefings

We wrote to the Deputy First Minister on a range of priorities and policies for Scottish property industry to support a stronger economy. Ahead of the annual Scottish Government budget, we highlighted comments by industry representatives who invest and act within Scotland in the briefing paper.

Our Annual Review 2023 looks at some of our highlights from the past year including our key campaigns, events, engagements and BPF Futures network. 

This report aims to provide the context in which the rent control policies are being formulated and informs on analysis of many expert commentators on the growing imbalance of supply and demand in the Scottish private rented sector (PRS). We highlight the impact of this imbalance on people and consider the trends leading to the present state of the market. We underline the vital importance of increasing the supply of properties available to let. And, we illustrate the perspectives of investors crucial to achieving this step change in new supply in Scotland. We examine how the need for a new form of rental offer in Scotland is an opportunity for policy makers to shape our future places, and provide new choice and quality in the housing market.

This report presents insights from a survey taken from end of 2022 by University of Glasgow to understand and assess the opinions of the Scottish Property Federation members. These cover emerging market trends across the major sectors in Scotland. Forty-eight members participated in the survey covering 125 separate sectors responses with expertise across the office, retail, logistics & industrial, leisure and residential sectors etc.

Assessment of Scotland's Rent Freeze and Impacts released by The Scottish Property Federation in association with researchers Rettie & Co, shows that the system of rent control introduced under the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Act will disrupt the future supply of new homes for rent. The research focuses on the Scottish Government’s ‘Rent Freeze’ and its impacts, particularly on the Build-to-Rent (BtR) sector. The study involved a series of linked research methods including an evidence review, a literature review and primary research with institutional investors.

Our 2022 Snapshot looks at some of our highlights from 2022 including our key campaigns and flagship events. 

A letter from Stephen Lewis, Chair of the Scottish Property Federation, to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP on the Scottish Government's plans to introduce a rent freeze and moratorium on evictions via emergency legislation. The letter highlights the stark impact of the proposals on supply and future investment into Scotland's rented sector.

Programme from the SPF Annual Conference 2022: Invest in Opportunity.

It is our firm view that the introduction of the proposals in Part 4 of the Coronavirus (Recovery & Reform) (Scotland) Bill is premature, does not take account of the wider Private Rented Sector, and pre-empts the outcome of a future Bill that may be introduced to Parliament at a later date.

SPF comments on the Scottish Government’s Non-domestic Rates (Coronavirus) Bill Stage 1 scrutiny.  This submission responds to a parliamentary call for views.

SPF comments on the Scottish Government’s Non-domestic Rates (Coronavirus) Bill Financial memorandum. This submission responds to a parliamentary call for views.

A briefing paper detailing the key announcements for the Scottish property industry from the 2021-22 Programme for Government.