Scotland has confirmed two additions to the list of rural housing bodies under the Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003. The Order, made on 28 October 2025 and laid before the Scottish Parliament on 30 October, names Tiree Community Development Trust and Woodhaven Housing Company Limited. It comes into force on 13 January 2026.

Rural housing bodies can use a legal tool called a rural housing burden-a right of pre‑emption that gives them first refusal to buy a property back when it is sold. The mechanism sits in section 43 of the 2003 Act and is designed to keep discounted homes affordable on resale, not just at first sale.

Scottish Government impact assessments explain that applying a rural housing burden can hold prices down in perpetuity and help address pressure from second and holiday homes in rural areas. The intent is simple: maintain a locally affordable stock while allowing households to build equity within agreed limits.

For Tiree, an island community with constrained supply, formal designation gives the Trust a tested route to deliver self‑build plots or completed homes that remain within reach for residents. The Trust’s own housing work, including plans at Scarinish, has been geared towards exactly this challenge.

For buyers, transparency is built in. A rural housing burden must be flagged during conveyancing, and if an owner later sells, the body has first refusal-often at a valuation reflecting the original discount-so the affordability benefit carries forward to the next household.

Community organisations eyeing similar powers should note that Ministers can only prescribe bodies that meet section 43(6) criteria-providing housing or land for housing on rural land-via a statutory instrument. Recent Orders in 2023 and 2024 followed that process after local need was evidenced, showing a clear pathway for applicants.

This Order updates the 2004 schedule of prescribed bodies-the list that ministers have amended over time to add community trusts, councils and housing providers able to hold rural housing burdens. Today’s changes fit that established pattern.

Housing is central to rural resilience. Research referenced by the Scottish Government notes that rural housing burdens can lock in affordability over the long term without fresh subsidy each time a home changes hands. With a 13 January 2026 start date, communities, conveyancers and lenders have a clear window to prepare processes and buyer guidance.