Single Scottish Estate (SSE) Programme: reflections and progress report
This reflections report showcases what the Single Scottish Estate has achieved in its first two years of delivery, highlighting successes of the programme.
6. Policy and Guidance: Property Controls Guidance
One of the key deliverables of the SSE Programme in 2025 was the launch of the Property Control Guidance on 19 February, which supports all public bodies involved in property management and acquisition. This new guidance builds on existing best practice, streamlining processes related to leaseholds and property acquisitions, and providing consistency across the estate.
The Property Controls templates have been developed with a view to better articulating what a good, proportionate business case looks like and will act as a checklist of all the key components that need to be covered, and which Property Controls need to consider when undertaking a review. An accurate and complete business case helps us to help you more quickly.
We are currently working to improve data held on any planned property acquisitions, including lease renewals or extensions, also including proposed timing for property controls submissions. Having this pipeline of information will help ensure a streamlined process for consideration of these matters so your support to populate that is critical. A call for a pipeline of property controls and lease expiry dates will be issued shortly to support this work.
If you are considering extending or renewing a commercial lease arrangement, we now ask you to seek a decision in principle at a much earlier stage (c. 9 months prior to lease expiry). This will ensure Ministers can fully consider the alternatives you have and that there is time to implement the best solution. Obtaining this before going through internal governance or developing a Full Business Case will help avoid abortive effort and costs. Please get in touch if you have any questions by emailing propertyandconstruction@gov.scot.