MSPs invite views on new Land Control Register rules

2nd July 2018 | property (non-commercial)

A Holyrood Committee is inviting views to inform its inquiry into proposed new regulations that aim to reduce the secrecy surrounding controlling interests in land in Scotland.

The Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform Committee will scrutinise the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land) (Scotland) Regulations 2021. 

Its call for evidence is separate from the Scottish Government's own consultation opened last month, undertaken in terms of tbe 2016 Act (click here for news item).

The committee's call for evidence focuses particularly on whether:

  1. the proposed regulations fulfil the requirements of s 39 of the Act;
  2. the proposed arrangements for a Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land are likely to be fit for purpose from the perspective of (a) landowners and tenants; (b) associates; and (c) individuals and community organisations;
  3. there are any improvements that could be made to the proposed arrangements to make information more accessible;
  4. there is any information that will not be covered by the proposed regulations that respondents believe should be (and why);
  5. the contact details which must be provided to the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland are sufficient;
  6. the security declaration process outlined in the proposed regulations is fit for purpose;
  7. the offences set out in the proposed regulations are appropriate;
  8. any other aspect of the proposed regulations requires amendment.

Committee deputy convener John Scott MSP commented: “The public deserves to know who owns what in Scotland and these new regulations aim to make land ownership information much more open, accessible and transparent.

“Our committee now wants to hear a wide range of views on the proposed regulations, whether these are fit for purpose from the perspective of landowners, tenants, individuals and communities, or if they can be improved in any way.”

Click here to view the call for evidence. The deadline for responses is 17 August 2018.