Proposed rent increase consultation begins

Letters are being sent to all Orkney Islands Council’s council house tenants seeking views on a proposed rent increase for 2021-2022.

The Council is keen to gauge people’s opinions on the proposed rise of two per cent, particularly during these additionally challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The letters will include an explanatory leaflet and the survey forms, which require to be filled in and returned in prepaid envelopes to Orkney Islands Council by 17:00 on Friday 11 December 2020.

There are a number of factors which can lead to a rise in rental rates:

• To cover increases in the cost of managing and maintaining Orkney Islands Council’s housing stock.
• Ensure the Scottish Housing Quality Standard continues to be met.
• Ensure the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing and further standards continue to be met within timescales.
• To cover the cost of borrowing money to finance the new-build programme.

The Council’s House Build Programme had developed 230 properties since the development was restarted in 2010. An additional 14 properties started on site in the summer of 2019, with a further 18 properties scheduled to start in April 2020. However, the completion dates for these properties have been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and therefore will not be completed until 2021.

Frances Troup, Orkney Islands Council’s Head of Housing, Homelessness and Schoolcare Accommodation Services, said: “We are more aware than ever of the precarious financial position being faced by some in these very difficult times. We would appeal to our tenants to share their opinions via the survey forms, and thereafter the feedback will be contained within a report to go before elected members.

“We have provided an explanatory leaflet and we are happy to arrange telephone appointments to discuss further.”

Chair of the Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “There is a significant need for the new-build programme and renovation programmes to ensure quality homes for the communities across Orkney.

“It is important that our rents are affordable and as such urge tenants to complete the survey to aid elected members in their decision-making process on setting rents.

“We, very much, do acknowledge the financial and emotional strains being placed on so many during these unprecedented times and would ask that anyone finding themselves in difficulty get in touch to discuss at the earliest opportunity.”