Tag: housing

As simple as ABC: renters at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning

  • One in three renters do not have a life-saving carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in their home
  • Four in five renters felt it was their landlord’s responsibility to provide a CO alarm in their property
  • Government urged to go further to protect tenants from co poisoning
  • Nearly half of renters in Leeds do not have a CO alarm
  • Protect yourself and your family by following the ABC guide – Do you have an Alarm fitted? Have you tested it and are the Batteries working? Have you had an up to date gas Check?

New research for the ‘Carbon Monoxide Be Alarmed!’ campaign has revealed that almost a third of renters in the UK do not have a life-saving CO alarm in their property, with four in five unaware that it is their responsibility – and not their landlord’s – to provide one. Continue reading As simple as ABC: renters at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning

Scottish Housing Day: ‘population is better housed today than it has ever been’

Scottish Housing Day: New poll shows mixed housing experience across Scotland

83% of Scots are satisfied with their current housing situation while 16% are not, according to an exclusive new opinion poll commissioned to coincide with Scottish Housing Day, which takes place today, 21st September 2017. The poll also found that three quarters of Scots aspire to own their own home and that young adults face the biggest gap between their current housing situation and the type of housing in which they would ideally like to live. Continue reading Scottish Housing Day: ‘population is better housed today than it has ever been’

Green report shows taxing derelict land could help tackle housing crisis

A new report by Andy Wightman MSP, Housing and Land Reform spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, shows that giving local councils the power to tax the 20,000 football pitches’ worth of vacant and derelict land in Scotland could generate £200 million a year to build affordable homes and tackle the housing crisis. Continue reading Green report shows taxing derelict land could help tackle housing crisis

Affordable homes boost but Greens offer radical alternative

The number of affordable homes approved over the year to the end June 2017 has increased by 30% on the previous year, bringing the total number of approvals over the year to 10,612. The government says the figures show good progress but the Scottish Greens will put forward their own plans to improve housing stock in a Holyrood debate later today. Continue reading Affordable homes boost but Greens offer radical alternative

New residents welcomed at St Nicholas Court

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has welcomed more residents into its St Nicholas Court sheltered housing complex on Ferry Road.

As part of a £1.6 million project, eight one bedroom flats were completed by Glasgow-based construction specialists, CCG, earlier in the summer. A sun lounge and guest bedroom, plus additional landscaping – including allotment plots for the residents to grow their own fruit, vegetables and flowers – have also been created

The heating system and bathrooms have also been upgraded in the original 35-bedroom development which was built in 1983.

Maureen Tait, Sheltered Housing Services Manager at PoLHA, said: “Our St Nicholas Court development has always been a popular choice for people seeking sheltered housing, so we’re thrilled to be able to give more people the opportunity to live here.

“We’re all really enjoying welcoming our eight new residents into these fantastic flats and hope that they make many happy memories in their new homes.”

New tenant Frances McPherson said: “I previously lived in a flat in Lorne Street for 50 years, but my husband has COPD and the stairs were proving difficult. We are delighted with our new home as it’s lovely and bright and requires no decorating. Plus, our four-year-old granddaughter is looking forward to sleepovers.”

Another new tenant Jane Kelly said: “It is lovely living here. It’s a big change as I lived in my last home for 51 years. I’m getting used to the open plan living layout and I’ve had my granddaughter across who has helped me make it feel like home with photographs and ornaments.”

Calum Murray, Director at CCG, said: “Over recent years CCG has become more and more active in the region of Edinburgh with a broad range of contracts ranging from new build housing to upgrade and renewal. We have worked with Port of Leith Housing Association on many of these contracts and we were delighted to continue this partnership with St Nicholas Court.

“The new residents across the development will benefit from savings on their energy bills thanks to the upgrades to their heating and the installation of solar PV on the roof as well as the enhanced accessibility brought by the new landscaping.”

City losing out during festival boom, say Greens

As tens of thousands of visitors descent on Edinburgh for the festival season, new analysis by Andy Wightman MSP shows that £10.6million of taxes are being avoided this year due to the boom in private homes being let out as holiday accommodation. Continue reading City losing out during festival boom, say Greens

Tenants and landlords to benefit from new regulations

Letting agents have six months to meet requirements of statutory code

cooncilhooses

 

Letting agents have six months to prepare for compliance with a new, statutory Code of Practice, set to improve standards and empower customers. Housing Minister Kevin Stewart is writing to all commercial letting agents to highlight the changes and their responsibilities, and the need to comply by January 31 2018.

The code sets out standards that must be met in how letting agents deliver services. It includes specific requirements on how clients’ money should be handled. It also makes it compulsory to have Client Money Protection and Professional Indemnity Insurance.

Landlords and tenants can use the code to challenge poor practice and, if necessary, enforce it through the new First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber). Letting agents will be required to join the Scottish Government’s mandatory register of letting agents, and key individuals in agencies must meet a minimum level of training.

 Mr Stewart said:   “We are committed to ensuring the highest quality private rented sector, which empowers tenants. Our framework for regulation, and the need for the sector to meet key standards and expectations through the code, is an important step in achieving our ambitions.

“Many letting agents already do a great deal to continuously improve standards and inspire confidence amongst landlords and tenants. The introduction of the code means a level playing field for all and ensures clarity on rights, responsibilities and expectations.

“For many people private renting provides a place to call home, and they deserve the necessary standards and protections to find and keep that home. With six months until the code comes into force letting agents must take steps now to be ready for these new ways of working.”

The Scottish Government has developed a guide for those undertaking letting agency work to assist them in meeting the requirements for registration. It is available at:

https://www.mygov.scot/letting-agent-registration/

Continue reading Tenants and landlords to benefit from new regulations

‘Ambitious’ City Deal to bring 21,000 jobs to Edinburgh

Keith Brown: ‘Ambitious’ city deal will deliver opportunities across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Borders.

Edinburgh

 The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal will deliver inclusive economic growth across the region through housing, innovation, transport, skills and culture.  It is expected that the new deal will deliver 21,000 new jobs for the area – but the city’s Green councillors say the deal sells Edinburgh short.

Continue reading ‘Ambitious’ City Deal to bring 21,000 jobs to Edinburgh