This module is the first in a series of six which have been produced by the Community Ownership Support Service (COSS) to support the sustainable transfer of publicly-held assets into community ownership. COSS is delivered by the Development Trusts Association for Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government.

Engaging in community asset transfer involves three core elements:

• Examining the feasibility of an asset transfer
• Planning for the asset transfer
• Managing and sustaining the asset when acquired

This series of modules covers each of these areas and provides advice and guidance on making an application for asset transfer helping to ensure it is robust.

A Community Right to Buy (CRtB) is a pre-emptive right to buy land (or property) for communities throughout Scotland under Part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. It provides for those communities, who successfully register a community interest in land, to have the frst option to buy when the registered land is offered for sale.

The Crofting Community Right to Buy (CCRtB) in Part 3 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (“the Act”) creates a setting in which a Crofting Community Body (CCB), representing an identifed crofting community, may acquire eligible croft land (including “fshing rights and / or mineral rights (except mineral rights to oil, coal, gas, gold or silver))

This guidance has been developed for both relevant authorities and community bodies.  Relevant authorities are required to have regard to guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers in carrying out their functions in relation to asset transfer.

There is more guidance for community transfer bodies on completing the request form, and more for relevant authorities on the acknowledgement and notices they have to issue following receipt of a request.