New Homes to Rent in Scottish Borders
Land to Homes intends to deliver homes for rent as well as for sale, and Scottish Borders is one of the areas where tenants can register interest. Homes for private rent would be let by us or a partner landlord. Affordable and social rent homes are let through councils and housing associations, under their own rules and lists.
Scottish BordersRegister your interest
Tell us where you want to live and what you need. Free, no obligation.
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.
- Free to registerNo fees, no deposit, no obligation
- Hear firstIf homes are released near you
- Affordable homesWith councils and housing associations
- Clear informationTenure, specification and warranty
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
New homes around Scottish Borders
Across Scottish Borders, we cover Galashiels and 3 other towns, among them Kelso, Peebles and Hawick. Next door, we also cover Edinburgh & the Lothians, Fife and Forth Valley.
Registrations for Scottish Borders cover homes for affordable rent, one- and two-bedroom apartments and accessible and adaptable homes. As Scottish Borders is in Scotland, applications are judged against National Planning Framework 4, and the buyer of land pays Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT).
Register for Scottish Borders and we will contact you if we bring homes forward nearby.
Our approach in Scottish Borders
Clear information first
Before any home is offered, expect the rent, the tenancy type, the deposit arrangements and what is included to be set out in writing.
Signposting to advice
We cannot advise on individual tenancy problems, but we can point you to independent housing advice services in your nation.
Affordable and social rent explained
Homes for affordable or social rent are let through councils and housing associations, which set eligibility and run their own lists.
Modern standards
New homes are built to the current building regulations or building standards of their nation for energy efficiency, insulation and safety.
Rules that apply in Scottish Borders
Renting privately in Scottish Borders? Since December 2017, almost all new private lets in Scotland are private residential tenancies, which are open-ended: a landlord can only end one on specified grounds, not because a fixed term has finished. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 is bringing in further rent and eviction measures. New-build buyers usually receive a structural warranty and may want a snagging survey before settlement. We have no homes available yet, but you can register interest.
In Scotland, most private lets are open-ended private residential tenancies, and private landlords must register with their council. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 allows rent control areas to be designated, with exemptions for qualifying build to rent and mid-market rent homes. Council and housing association tenants usually have a Scottish secure tenancy.
| National planning policy | National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which forms part of the statutory development plan |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP) |
| Who decides applications | The council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area) |
| In-principle consent | Planning permission in principle (PPP), followed by approval of matters specified in conditions |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) |
| Land registration | Registers of Scotland (Land Register of Scotland) |
| How a sale becomes binding | Land sales are concluded through missives, formal letters exchanged between solicitors that become a binding contract once concluded, followed by settlement on the date of entry and registration in the Land Register of Scotland. |
| Developer contributions | Section 75 planning obligations, with Section 69 agreements sometimes used for simple one-off payments |
Your questions answered for Scottish Borders
Does Land to Homes have any homes to rent?
No, not yet. Land to Homes is a new venture and has no homes available to rent. We do not take rental applications, holding deposits or fees at this stage. You can register interest with the area, type of home and timing you need, and we will contact you if we bring forward rental homes that match.
How are tenancies different in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
In Wales, tenants are contract-holders under occupation contracts set by the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. Most private tenancies in Scotland are open-ended private residential tenancies. In Northern Ireland, private tenancies are governed by the Private Tenancies Order, as amended by the Private Tenancies Act 2022. Each nation has its own rules on deposits, notice and landlord registration.
Can I apply to you for a social or affordable rent home?
No. Social and affordable rent homes are let through council housing registers and housing association lists, which set the eligibility rules and decide who is offered a home. If a site we bring forward includes affordable homes, they will be let through the relevant council or housing association. Contact your local council's housing team to join a list.
Will my deposit be protected?
In most cases, yes. Each nation requires private landlords to protect tenancy deposits in an approved scheme within a set period and to give tenants information about the scheme. The detailed rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. If homes we bring forward are let privately, deposits will be handled under the rules that apply.
Can I register for new homes in Scottish Borders?
Yes. Registering for Scottish Borders is free and does not commit you to anything. There are no homes available yet; if we bring homes forward in or near Scottish Borders, we will contact you.
Read more: New Homes to Rent · Guide: Renting a new-build home: tenancy rules in England, Wales, Scotland and NI