Opinion

Malcolm Thomson, sales and marketing director of Scotframe, details the need for collective action from the housebuilding industry to tackle climate change. It was Barack Obama who pointed out that the challenges of the 21 st century could not be met without collective action. And few would argue th

Shirley McIntosh, tax partner at RSM, discusses the new challenges facing the legal sector amid changes in property tax. The start of the new tax year on 6 April 2020 will see the latest in a long line of changes in the taxation of property introduced since April 2013, from new and abolished rules,

With 2020 marking the 20th anniversary of trade body Homes for Scotland, chief executive Nicola Barclay considers the changes that have (or more significantly haven’t) taken place on what is her own 4th year anniversary in the job. 2020 is set to be a year to remember for the Scottish home bui

Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) director Euan Leitch reflects on the Scottish Government’s response to recommendations from the Scottish Parliamentary Working Group on Tenement Maintenance and the recent Scottish House Condition Survey 2018 findings. The Scottish Parliamentary Working

Trainee solicitor at Jones Whyte Law, Lauren Hazlie, provides information on high rise cladding and what people should be aware of when looking to buy or sell a property which has inappropriate cladding. Over the past couple of decades, a number of high rise buildings in the UK have been built with

Elaine McIlroy, a partner at Brodies LLP, outlines proposed changes to the immigration system and what this means for employers. The topic of immigration has been front page news this week across the UK. In Scotland there have been calls for a 'Scottish visa' and devolution of immigration

As January is often the time of year when more people than normal are looking for a new role, Mactaggart & Mickel’s HR director Marion Forbes has provided a series of interview tips. Many people use January to polish their CV and start job hunting. But how do ensure you present the be

Alastair McCoan, building consultancy partner at Knight Frank Glasgow, discusses how businesses can avoid being hit with a large dilapidations bill when making an office move. A new year, a new office – it can be an exciting time for any business as it embarks on an expansion, with some stylis

To mark Blue Monday 2020, Sally Orton shares her wealth of experience in helping construction businesses to identify and effectively manage poor mental health in the workplace. According to the Mental Health Foundation, as many as 3 in 10 employees will experience a mental health problem in any

As the City of Edinburgh Council publishes its plan for the sustainable development of the city until 2030, Alex Orr outlines what the proposals mean for greenbelt development, affordable housing, short-term lets and more. Housebuilders and other developers with an interest in Edinburgh will no doub

James Gibb property manager Charlie Leask details his experiences to date and how a Heriot-Watt University course will arm him and future property managers with futurefit skills. Looking back, I think I was always destined to work in property. Brought up in a family that refurbished properties, my d

Dentons’ Kathryn Kelly and Lorna MacFarlane discuss the launch of a consultation on the use of cash retentions in Scotland.

In this blog, the Scottish Government reveals that the early engagement period for the 4th National Planning Framework is now under way.

Health and safety expert Bruce Craig warns that while prosecutions for breaching health and safety laws are at record low levels, businesses have a duty to maintain the highest standards. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted just under 400 cases in the UK in 2018/19, the lowest number fo

As the dust settles on a momentous decade, Queensberry Properties’ director, Steven Simpson, considers how the Scottish property market reacted and responded to economic and political uncertainty. The start of a new decade always provides a good opportunity to reflect on the last ten years, an