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Presentation for Landlords’ Forum

Presentation for Landlords’ Forum. Developing the Approach to Private Sector Housing in West Lothian. Private Sector Housing in West Lothian. Context Scale of Enquiries Developing the Council’s Approach Communication Landlord Registration Assistance Available to Private Landlords

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Presentation for Landlords’ Forum

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  1. Presentation for Landlords’ Forum Developing the Approach to Private Sector Housing in West Lothian

  2. Private Sector Housing in West Lothian • Context • Scale of Enquiries • Developing the Council’s Approach • Communication • Landlord Registration • Assistance Available to Private Landlords • Questions

  3. Private Sector Housing in West Lothian – Context 1 • The majority of housing stock in West Lothian is in the private sector (77%) (owner occupied or privately rented) • There has been a large increase in the number of houses in the private rented sector from 3% of the stock to at least 7%. 4,315 landlords are registered and 5,184 properties.

  4. Private Sector Housing in West Lothian – Context 2 • Legislation has introduced duties and powers on the Council to intervene in private housing: • to provide information and advice to tenants, to register landlords, to licence HMOs • to make sure homes are fit for purpose and to provide a Scheme of Assistance for owners and occupiers

  5. Private Sector Housing :Scale of Enquiries • HCBS – In excess of 2000 enquiries per annum covering property condition, adaptations • Licensing (including Landlord Registration) – 232 enquiries and around 3000 calls, 1000 emails and 2500 applications handled by the team directly annually • Environmental Health 345 house condition enquiries in 11/12 plus associated noise, water, pest control and waste related services • Revenues and Benefits – 12,000 enquiries per year, 2,791 tenants claiming housing benefit for private rented sector properties.

  6. Developing the Council’s Approach • To identify and close gaps in service provision • To provide a better, more coherent service for tenants, reputable landlords and home owners in West Lothian • To develop recommendations for service improvement, enforcement and development • To put in place a service that will raise the quality of private sector housing in West Lothian

  7. The Council’s webpages on Private Sector Housing and particularly private rented housing are being revised. New information leaflets will be developed for tenants and landlords. We will work more closely with the Council’s call centre to develop a better understanding of the private rented sector so that enquiries can be more easily targeted to the right people. There is more joint working between staff working on private sector housing and sharing of information. Key actions - Communication

  8. Key Action: Landlord Registration • Examining the Council’s approach to landlord registration in line with Scottish Government’s strategic approach • Considering further policy development in relation to enforcement of landlord registration.

  9. Communal Repairs • Developing the approach to funding “Missing Shares” in communal properties • Examining Options for the Council to pay missing shares and then recover from homeowners. • This could facilitate work to communal blocks to be undertaken in some circumstances.

  10. Assistance available for Private Sector Landlords HomeChoice Advice and Assistance to landlords on renting their property Advertising properties for rent on the Homechoice website Administration of the Council’s rent deposit guarantee scheme Access to landlord accreditation training Empty Homes Project – Advice and information to bring empty properties back into use – To date 16 empty homes have been brought back into use either for rent or have been sold on. Signposting advice on Energy Efficiency matters to Energy Savings Trust http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Organisations/Innovation/Free-resources-for-housing-professionals/Private-Sector-Landlords Home Energy Efficiency Programme – Targeting properties for insulation measures in identified areas in West Lothian (this programme is currently being developed).

  11. Questions • Do you have any views on how the Council could improve its approach to private sector housing and how it works with private landlords? Contact: westlothianhomechoice@westlothian.gov.uk

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