Published on:
09
May 2002
Under the new Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, the Government has made provisions for the introduction of a single Scottish Secure Tenancy (SST) agreement. This will replace all current local authority and housing association tenancy agreements.
This initiative will help to ensure that local authorities and housing association tenants will all have similar conditions of let.
The legislation also offers up the opportunity for landlords and tenants to agree upon additional conditions of let which maybe incorporated into their standard new tenancy agreement.
To ensure that all local authority and housing association tenants are aware of their rights and responsibilities Clackmannanshire Council, Ochil View and Paragon Housing Associations are working in partnership to carry out a number of consultation and information events for tenants.
Councillor Charlie Forbes, Convener of the Housing, Health and Social Services Committee said: "The legislation will give local landlords and tenants the opportunity to work together to implement a local tenancy agreement that will enhance tenants rights and clarify tenant and landlord responsibilities."
The local landlords have all been awarded a sum of money to assist in the implementation of the new agreement. A proportion of this money will be pooled to ensure staff are trained to implement the agreement and tenants equipped with an understanding of what the introduction of the agreement means to them.
"Over the next few months we will focus all our energies towards informing all public sector housing tenants about the new tenancy agreement and preparing for the launch of the new SST in September," added Councillor Forbes.
Clackmannanshire Tenants and Residents Federation has already helped draw up a new tenancy agreement for Clackmannanshire tenants. Paragon and Ochil View are similarly drawing up drafts for consultation.
Councillor Forbes added "Already there are a number of information events planned which will help tenants get to grips with key changes that will be made to their current tenancy agreements."
An information/consultation strategy is already in place with a number of events planned for May. The Council in partnership with Ochil View and Paragon Housing are set to pound the streets with a touring Roadshow which will stop off at local communities on the following dates:
Wednesday 15 May· Alloa Safeway, Clackmannan Road 10am - 12 noon· CAP car park, Sauchie 13.00 - 14.45· Fishcross Miner's Welfare 15.00 - 16.00
Thursday 16 May· Alloa Market, 10am - 12 noon· Tron Court, Tullibody 13.00 - 14.45· Clackmannan Co-op, 15.00 - 16.00
Friday 17 May· Dumyat Centre, Menstrie 10am - 12 noon· Cross Keys, Alva 11.45 - 13.00· Bus Station, Tillicoultry 14.00 - 15.00· Main Street (shops), Dollar 15.15 - 16.15
At the end of May three consultation/information events will take place. · 28 May, Alloa Town Hall 7pm - 9.30pm· 29 May, Tillicoultry Community Centre, 1pm - 3.30pm· 30 May, Tullibody Civic Centre 1pm - 3.30pm.
Comments and any concerns raised at the public meetings will be used by the landlords to help ensure that the local version of the SST addresses local issues and provides for improved tenant and landlord relationships.