Landlord appeal secures homes for new staff

Nel Govender is “delighted” to be moving to Orkney and starting work in a key role with Orkney Health and Care following an appeal for help to source suitable accommodation.

The public ask for private landlords to come forward with offers of accommodation proved to be very successful with six new members of staff now matched with providers.

Nel will be taking up her post of Service Manager (Children’s Health Services) with Orkney Health and Social Care (OHAC) soon.

She said: “We are delighted as a family to be able to relocate to Orkney now that the accommodation has been secured and start a new life within your community. I am very much looking forward to beginning in the new role and helping continue the good work that is already underway within the service.

“My thanks go to all involved in ensuring this move could happen.”

Maureen Swannie, Head of Strategic Planning and Performance and Interim Head of Children, Families and Justice Services, who made the initial plea said they were delighted with the response.

“Five properties have been secured allowing six members of staff to finally get underway with their new jobs here in the county - great news for our community. We want to thank everyone who offered accommodation – unfortunately we weren’t able to accept all that were made due to various factors such as location and availability timescales, but we were very grateful, nonetheless.

“We still require one more property so remain keen to hear from any other landlords who may have a suitable property that matches staff needs and ideally, we would ask that the property is furnished.

“Once again, our heartfelt thanks to the Orkney public for coming up trumps!”

This is not about favouring folk from away over people already resident in Orkney – this is about those who have been offered a position on their own merits and securing staff for our public services.

Unfortunately, like so many other desirable areas to live, Orkney has a shortage of private rental accommodation.

Are you a private sector landlord with a rental property, or do you know of a friend or relative with a property for rent who may be able to help by renting to a staff member individually or those with a family?

Would you consider registering a property? There’s information for private landlords on our becoming a landord page.

The let would be directly to the staff member, not to the Council.

Please get in touch with housing@orkney.gov.uk if you are already registered and have an available property for rent now – or if you are interested in registering as a private sector landlord.