Scottish Ministers have added Tiree Community Development Trust and Woodhaven Housing Company Limited to the list of “rural housing bodies”. The amending order was made on 28 October 2025, laid before the Scottish Parliament on 30 October 2025, and comes into force on 13 January 2026. Signed at St Andrew’s House by Siobhian Brown, the instrument updates the 2004 Rural Housing Bodies Order, as published on legislation.gov.uk.

Designation matters because it lets approved organisations use Scotland’s rural housing burden. Under section 43 of the Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003, this is a right of pre‑emption written into a property’s title, giving the designated body first refusal if the home is sold on-aimed at keeping prices within reach for local residents.

Scottish Government guidance explains the mechanism is typically used on serviced plots or community‑led homes sold at a discount, with agreed resale terms so affordability endures over time. It’s a legal tool rather than a grant, designed to retain housing for people who live and work locally.

For Northern builders, solicitors and self‑builders who work across the border, the change is practical: two more counterparties can now use these Scottish title controls. If you’re looking at plots on Tiree or schemes linked to Woodhaven from early 2026, assume resale conditions may apply and plan finance and timelines with that in mind.

Tiree Community Development Trust has been clear that housing is its top priority, with early‑stage work around Scarinish and a published strategy to increase local options. Community‑owned projects on the island often explore discounted sales with conditions to favour permanent residents.

Woodhaven Housing Company Limited is the second addition named in the order. Once the law takes effect on 13 January 2026, it will be able to hold rural housing burdens in line with the 2003 Act, subject to the same criteria and duties as other designated bodies.

For buyers, the burden sits in the title and must be flagged during conveyancing. Terms are agreed at first sale and can include a discount formula and a clear first‑refusal process. Prospective purchasers should ask their solicitor to set out the conditions early so lenders can consider them alongside the mortgage.

England doesn’t have this exact statutory device; similar outcomes are usually pursued through planning obligations and rural exception policies. The direction of travel is familiar to readers across the North: use controlled resale to keep homes local. With the order live from mid‑January, we’ll track the first projects that these newly designated bodies bring forward.