New Angus energy efficiency improvement project

We are pleased to announce a new energy efficiency improvement project in partnership with SCARF and two contractors for improvement works in Angus: Qualis Scotland Ltd and Diversity Energy Solutions.

This a pilot project aimed at specific areas in Angus to tackle fuel poverty and energy inefficiency in private sector housing. Households in certain areas of Angus will receive letters inviting them for a free survey of their property to help improve the energy efficiency of the home and reduce energy bills.

The survey will identify what suitable energy efficiency improvements could be made. Throughout the process, the contractors will give advice relating to potential measures and timescales involved. In most cases, the improvement works will be fully funded.

Representatives from the contractors will always carry photo identification and a copy of the letter issued to the household, so remember to request ID badges.

If you receive a letter from one of the contractors, please do not contact us but instead follow the instructions either to proceed with a survey or opt-out. You can contact SCARF or the contractor for further information.

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Private Landlord Survey – Please Help!

We want to hear from private landlords in Angus…

The national homelessness charity Crisis* is working with us to improve housing options and support in the private rented sector. This month, Crisis is conducting a survey of our landlords on our behalf.

Please help by completing the survey by 31 August.

Why are we getting in touch during COVID-19?

We recognise many landlords are seriously concerned about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on tenancies and the rental market, and may be looking for advice or options which offer support and longer term reassurances. Now more than ever, we want to ensure existing tenants get the right help and support to avoid tenancies failing.

At the same time, because of the pandemic, we have a large number of households in urgent housing need, some of whom are in temporary accommodation. All of these households are seeking long-term homes. 

What do we mean by “urgent housing need”?

This does not simply mean sleeping on the streets. It means not having a safe home. Whilst sleeping on the streets is the worst form of homelessness, this is very rare in Angus. Most people registered with us as being in urgent housing need have experienced a family or relationship breakdown.  They’re likely to be sleeping on sofas, living in unsafe or overcrowded conditions, or staying in our temporary accommodation.

Why can’t everyone get social housing?

There’s simply not enough social housing to meet demand. We have especially high demand for one bedroom homes across Angus, particularly in the Forfar and Arbroath areas. This means people who are in urgent housing need can still wait a very long time for a home. We know the private sector can help to fill this gap, as private landlords often have good quality homes in the areas people want to stay.

What’s in it for private landlords?

Through Crisis’ work with Councils and private landlords in Scotland, we know there are many successful initiatives bringing landlords and local people in housing need together.

We want to give better support and incentives to landlords to help people in housing need move into private tenancies. We also want to improve the sustainability of private tenancies, by ensuring the right services are in place for tenants and landlords, preventing unnecessary homelessness, especially as we move out of the pandemic.

We’d like you to tell us what we could do to encourage and incentivise more landlords to work with us, to provide more homes for people who desperately need them and work together to reduce tenancy problems like arrears and neighbour nuisance.

Why should landlords do the survey?

1.      it’s anonymous. You don’t need to provide your name or contact details unless you want to

2.      it’s quick. It will only take 5-10 minutes of your time – the questions are mainly multiple choice

3.      it doesn’t commit you to anything!

4.     it’s a chance for landlords to have their voices heard, and tell us what they’d like from us in future

5.    whatever your opinions, by completing this survey you’ll be helping us to help people in Angus. All landlord feedback gives us a better understanding of what they want and what we could do next

So – please help.  Thank you in advance

* Your responses will be collated and analysed by Crisis. No landlord data has been passed to Crisis.  The survey will close on 31 August. 

Please note Crisis is also working with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Council on this subject. If you rent out properties in those areas too, you’ll be contacted by those organisations too – but you only need to complete the survey once. If you have any questions or comments on this survey or this work, please contact Lucie at Crisis: lucie.dunn@crisis.org.uk  

Coronavirus – Information for private landlords and letting agents

On Monday, 29 June the Scottish Government updated coronavirus guidance for private landlords and letting agents to reflect the move to Phase 2 of their route map to recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak.

The guidance contains the latest information about COVID-19 and support available for private-sector tenants and landlords who may find themselves in financial difficulty due to the virus.

From 29 June, all home moves are allowed, provided they can be carried out safely.  This includes students moving home and other home moves resulting in two households merging. It also applies to custom and self-builders looking to acquire a plot or a property to renovate or to demolish. The Scottish Government guidance on moving home provides advice on how to do this. This guidance contains advice to ensure that moving home in any tenure and supporting activities, such as viewing property, can happen safely during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Scotland.

 

Help for Private Renters with Our New Rent Deposit Scheme

Our new Rent Deposit Scheme is to help people on low incomes in housing need get accommodation in the private rented sector. If you urgently need housing, but don’t have the money for a deposit for a private rental property, we can help.

If you meet our conditions, we can pay the deposit to the landlord on your behalf. You agree to a savings plan to repay the money to us.

Anyone in work or receiving benefits can apply. To make sure you are able to repay us, we will carry out checks, including the affordability of the property, and check on your tenancy history including any rent arrears.

Landlords must be registered with us and transfer the deposit to one of the National Deposit Schemes. Do not sign a tenancy agreement or move into the property before we confirm you can take part in the scheme.

rent Deposit Scheme 1

For further information about the scheme, check out our website.

Improving Below Tolerable Standard Properties in Angus

We have developed a Below Tolerable Standard (BTS) strategy to help improve the condition of properties in Angus. The strategy is part of the current Local Housing Strategy 2017-22

The Tolerable Standard is the basic level of repair a property must meet to make it fit for a person to live in. The basic level of repair is measured against 12 criteria and failure against any of these makes a property below the tolerable standard. A property that falls below the tolerable standard is not acceptable as living accommodation.

By implementing our strategy we want to:

  • Raise awareness of, identify and address poor housing
  • Gather localised data relating to BTS housing characteristics
  • Reduce the number of homes that are below the tolerable standard
  • Prevent more homes from falling below the tolerable standard by encouraging homeowners to repair, maintain and improve their homes

If you are aware of a property that you believe to be below the tolerable standard and if, after the owner/landlord has been notified of the problem:

  • it is not attended to satisfactorily, or
  • if there is disagreement about whether there is a problem

please contact our Environmental Health Team. You can report your concerns using our General Enquiry Form

For more information see our website.