Private sector housing services

The Scottish Government has opened a consultation on proposed measures for both the private rented sector and social sector, expected to be part of the upcoming Housing Bill.

Aimed specifically at gaining the views of landlord and tenants, it explores what PRS rent reform would look like. Importantly, it also sets out that Scottish Government is considering what categories of housing might be exempt from rent controls, including 'rented property offered for social good where rents are controlled below market level'.  Some changes to the evictions process are also considered, to take into account a household or tenant's personal circumstances.

Find out more about the consultation and share your views. The closing date for responses is 27 October 2023.

The Private Sector Housing team provide additional support services to homeowners, landlords and tenants but don't manage factoring services. 

The team has responsibility for a range of functions aimed at improving private sector housing including:

• to apply the terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006
• to provide support and advice to private tenants
• various duties relating to landlords

The Scheme of Assistance

The Scheme of Assistance offers help and advice to people who need to carry out repair and improvement work on their homes. It offers a wide range of services and aims to encourage homeowners to take responsibility for the condition of their homes. 

Read our Statement of Assistance (PDF, 78 KB).

Housing adaptations

The Private Sector Housing team have recently produced a housing adaptations leaflet to provide advice for those who need further information on:

• adaptations
• housing options
• Care and Repair services
• Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) assessments

Heat in Buildings Funding 

The Heat in Buildings Funding catalogue sets out the different funding options available currently for work to decarbonise and improve energy efficiency. It includes key contacts for each of the funds as well as information and the eligibility criteria.

Read the Heat in Buildings Funding catalogue (PDF, 251 KB)

Novoville Shared Repairs

Novoville Shared Repairs is an app designed to help tenement flat owners to repair and maintain the common areas of their block. It was created for Scottish proprietors during the Scottish Government backed "Civtech Programme". It turns the process of carrying out common repairs into a step-by-step procedure, and gives owners the tools they need to get the project completed.

It's not required that all owners join the app. The app makes it easy to know what to do at every step of the way to complete the repair or maintenance job. It incorporates a list of East Renfrewshire council vetted Trusted Traders and offers a service to help homeowners gather quotes. Previously, it could be difficult for proprietors to open a community account to gather funds in a segregated payment account. The app allows proprietors to open a fully digital payment account, so that funds can be transparently gathered and then paid out to the trader.