What is it?
The Community Right to Buy Fund provides support for communities to access professional services, where needed, to help with registering an interest under Community Right to Buy legislation. This could include legal title searches or help with mapping.
Communities can apply for up to £5,000 to help with registering a community interest in land/buildings through the Community Right to Buy legislation.
Benefits
With a buoyant and fast-paced property market it's currently more difficult for communities to buy land and buildings. If your community spots an opportunity, you can apply to register interest in an asset through Community Right to Buy. If you’re successful you’ll have first option to purchase if/when it’s offered for sale.
There are a number of steps as part of the registration process. There are guidelines available to help you gather the information needed, and the process in the main is straightforward. However, if you’ve come up against a problem we’re here to help.
Community right to buy legislation
When applying, you have to provide information on your organisation, the asset you’re interested in and its current ownership. You will need to demonstrate to Scottish Ministers that your application is in the public interest, that you have local support and that purchasing the land or building will contribute to further sustainable development. You also need an outline plan for how the asset will be used and how this will benefit the community.
How we can help
If you’re struggling to complete the application – we’re here to offer help and advice. Get in touch to discuss your proposal. If your problem is complicated and requires specialist professional services – perhaps legal issues around land ownership or boundaries – we have small grants available through our Community Right to Buy Fund.
How much finance is available?
A grant of up to £5,000 for up to 80% of costs may be available to your organisation.
Find out more
To discuss applying to our Community Right to Buy Fund, please get in touch.