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Alan Stewart
PartnerAlan advises developers and funds on complex real estate transactions across Scotland, helping clients identify and deliver Build to Rent opportunities with long-term value.
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Jonathan Seddon
PartnerJonathan leads MFMac’s real estate growth strategy and supports investors with the structuring and financing of Build to Rent schemes across the UK.
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Kenneth Carruthers
PartnerKenneth combines decades of planning and property litigation experience to help clients navigate regulatory and strategic challenges in Build to Rent developments.
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Ross Caldwell
PartnerRoss works with developers and asset managers to deliver tenant-focused Build to Rent projects that meet market demand and investor expectations.
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Suzanne Hardie
PartnerSuzanne supports private clients and family offices with legal and commercial advice on Build to Rent investments, ensuring their portfolios are future-proofed.
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Rory Alexander
PartnerRory brings specialist planning expertise to Build to Rent schemes, helping clients secure viable sites and navigate complex approval processes.
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Chris McLeish
PartnerChris supports clients through procurement and construction phases, ensuring contracts are robust and risks are effectively managed.
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Fergus McDiarmid
PartnerFergus focuses on real estate aspects, guiding clients through site acquisitions, planning and development strategy housing projects.
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Michael Ramsay
PartnerMichael handles construction disputes, working with clients to resolve issues around delays, defects and contractor performance.
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Sandra Hunter
PartnerSandra leads on dispute resolution strategy, helping clients protect their commercial interests when issues arise during or after construction.
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Mimi Stewart
Legal DirectorMimi works on finance and investment transactions, supporting lenders and investors involved in student accommodation portfolios.
Build to Rent & Student Accommodation
We help clients unlock opportunity across Scotland’s evolving rental market, with deep expertise in Build to Rent and Student Housing. Our multidisciplinary team delivers tailored legal solutions that support commercially successful, tenant-focused developments.
Strategic legal support for Build to Rent and emerging rental models
MFMac is at the forefront of Scotland’s Build to Rent (BTR) sector, advising on schemes involving private, mid-market and affordable rents. We support operators, developers, investors and funders with strategic insight across the full development lifecycle—from planning and funding to branding and tenant engagement.
As Scotland’s rental landscape diversifies, we help clients navigate emerging formats like co-living, multi-family and suburban schemes, offering tailored advice that aligns with distinct renter profiles and scalable investment strategies.
Our flexible, client-first approach ensures every project is future-ready and commercially sound.
Market-leading expertise in Student Accommodation
With over 20 sector specialists, MFMac is a recognised leader in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), having acted on deals in every major university town and city in Scotland. We provide end-to-end legal support across investment sales, acquisitions, forward fundings, developments, portfolio deals and refinancing.
Our team covers all relevant disciplines including property, planning, construction, banking, health & safety and environmental law—ensuring clients receive comprehensive, coordinated advice. Whether resolving disputes or structuring finance, we help clients deliver high-quality student housing with confidence and impact.
Our Build to Rent experts with a focus on growth
MFMac offers end-to-end legal and strategic support for Build to Rent developments in Scotland, combining expertise in planning, funding and tenant engagement to help clients deliver high-performing, future-ready assets.
What is the Build to Rent Market in Scotland Looking Like?
Stepping off the train in Glasgow, I instantly regretted the decision not to bring an umbrella. I had fallen into the East Lothian weather trap… again! But once I arrived at the Movers & Shakers Build to Rent Annual Conference, the dark clouds soon lifted. There was a distinct air of optimism in the room.
Update on the FCA's Rent-to-Own proposals: new price cap and a point of sale ban on extended warranties
The FCA has published a new Consultation Paper on "Rent-to-own and alternatives to high-cost credit" CP18/35
Tenancy Agreements for Student Accommodation in Scotland
The new Private Residential Tenancy ("PRT") regime was introduced in Scotland on 1 December 2017. Prior to its introduction there was concern amongst investors that the additional rights it confers on occupiers might prove harmful from an investment perspective. Key concerns included additional security of tenure tenants are to enjoy and the possibility of rent controls being introduced in property hotspots.
Cracking the student accommodation construction cost conundrum
Is affordability the biggest challenge facing the purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) market at the moment? If it is, then it is also the biggest opportunity.
Multiple dwellings relief on student accommodation assets
When acquiring student accommodation assets, purchasers have historically taken advantage of the availability of Multiple Dwellings Relief ("MDR").
Student lets: are payments amounting to premiums now permitted?
Since the enactment of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 which introduced Private Residential Tenancies (PRTs) in Scotland, it has generally been considered (due to an ambiguity in the legislation) that longstanding rules prohibiting the payment of 'premiums', under protected tenancies and the old short assured tenancy (SAT), continued to apply to all residential leases.
Proposed Letting Restrictions Affecting BTR and Student Accommodation Assets in Scotland
Although owners of properties within the build to rent and student accommodation sectors might ultimately view themselves as proprietors of 'commercial assets', in several key areas these assets are treated as 'residential' or a sub-set of this. An example of this arises within the context of energy performance.