Derek Hogg

This year’s National Housing Conference (NHC), taking place on Thursday 8 November at the Dunblane Hydro Hotel, is shaping up to be one of the best yet and there is still time to reserve your place at the conference.

The 13th NHC aims to address key issues facing housing providers at a time of unprecedented challenge. The conference will be based around 10 key questions, six of which will be addressed in plenary session and four in breakout groups, to allow maximum opportunity for discussion and debate.

Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) will be familiar with the terms of section 66 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, which required RSLs to obtain written consent from the Scottish Ministers (acting through the Scottish Housing Regulator) for certain disposals of land or property. On 1 April 2012, section 107 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010, (the "Act") came into force and replaced the former section 66.

At first glance the terms of section 107 are similar to those of section 66: RSLs must seek the consent of the Scottish Housing Regulator (the "Regulator") to dispose of land or other assets ("disposals"), unless that disposal is exempt. However, section 107 differs from section 66 in two significant ways.

The Scottish Government's District Heating Loan Fund opened for the submission of 'expressions of interest' in May 2012. The loan fund aims to support the development of district heating networks in Scotland through the provision of capital loans.

District heating - a system for distributing heat generated in a centralised location for residential and commercial heating requirements – aims to improve efficiency and cut carbon emissions.