Social Housing
UK Guide 2025 : Scotland
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(0141) 221 8888About
Provided by Harper Macleod LLP
Our Housing team provides specialist advice to housing providers – whether Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), local authorities or private developers and investors - on every aspect of their organisation.
As Scotland’s largest law firm with a specialist housing practice, our multi-disciplinary team of lawyers provides the regulatory, governance, commercial and property advice to meet all of our clients' needs.
We have become trusted advisers to some of the UK’s largest housing providers by delivering innovative, practical and commercial solutions. We work with a diverse range of organisations and businesses across the public and private sector, including: Scottish Government; local authorities; RSLs; joint venture bodies; private sector developers; and urban and community regeneration vehicles
We act for more than 50 RSLs, ranging from the largest in the country to smaller community-based organisations. Collectively, they own or manage more than 75% of the entire RSL housing stock in Scotland, from Shetland and the Western Isles to the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.
Chambers Review
Harper Macleod has a top-drawer social housing practice with significant experience acting for public sector entities, registered social landlords (RSLs) and private developers. The firm has noted expertise in mergers and transactions throughout the sector and particular knowledge of the Scottish Help to Buy scheme and stock transfers. It also regularly advises on regulatory and governance matters, and offers expertise in private placement finance deals.
Work Highlights
- Harper Macleod assisted Link Group with negotiating and finalising terms of a new £70.7 million term and revolving credit facility with the Bank of Scotland for its affordable housing developments.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Harper Macleod are very efficient and take a genuine interest in the success of our organisation."
"Harper Macleod's service is invaluable in terms of what we need to do as a social landlord."
"Harper Macleod have an excellent understanding of the social housing sector and always seek to provide solutions-focused advice."
"They have one of the strongest social housing teams in Scotland at the moment."
"Harper Macleod are very efficient and take a genuine interest in the success of our organisation."
"Harper Macleod's service is invaluable in terms of what we need to do as a social landlord."
"Harper Macleod have an excellent understanding of the social housing sector and always seek to provide solutions-focused advice."
"They have one of the strongest social housing teams in Scotland at the moment."
Notable Practitioners
Derek Hogg receives high praise for his impressive experience in the social housing market. He advises RSLs, local authorities and other public bodies on a range of governance, regulatory and constitutional issues.
"He brings excellent experience and knowledge, he is a trusted adviser to us and we respect him enormously."
"Derek is an excellent communicator and provides pragmatic and solutions-driven advice."
"Derek has a great understanding of the sector, which is well balanced with his commercial awareness."
"He provides confidence to us when dealing with difficult situations."
James McMorrow is highly experienced in handling regulatory matters, in addition to advising RSLs on constitutional partnerships.
"We have always found James to be incredibly knowledgeable and thorough."
"He's helped us establish a strong basis for our procurement strategy, delivery and practices."
"He's incredibly knowledgeable and thorough."
Collette Miller demonstrates notable strength in the space, and her clients include RSLs and local authorities. She has considerable experience advising clients on governance and regulatory issues.
"Collette has a good balance of understanding the social housing sector and wider commercial concerns."
"She provides good advice."
Ranked Lawyers at
Harper Macleod LLP
Scotland