Details of how our services are operating over the festive period, including registration offices, social work services and bin collections.
Housing Annual Performance Report 2020/2021
Contents
Getting good value from rents and service charges 2020/21
We have the third lowest rents amongst Scottish local authorities with an average weekly rent of £70.90. On average our rents are 10.16% lower than other Scottish Local Authority Landlords.
Rent collection
In 2020/21 we collected 97.89% of the rent due to us and our rent collection remains strong. Our Housing Rents Team continue to secure more direct Universal Credit payments and pursue other tenant debt with the result that overall arrears reduced despite the impact of the pandemic.
We have developed new and innovative financial packages to help prevent tenants falling into the cycle of rent arrears:
- The Universal Credit Assistance Fund was introduced to mitigate the financial difficulties our tenants experience because of the built-in waiting times when applying for Universal Credit.
- The Rent Relief fund was introduced to help with the financial impact of the pandemic on tenants’ income.
As a result of these funds, we have reduced arrears for our tenants. In addition, our enhanced Income Maximisation service generated £10,925,862 for tenants and residents through Housing Benefit, Council Tax reduction, Discretionary Housing Benefit and other benefit awards.
| Indicator Description | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | Local authority average | Our performance |
| Percentage of tenants who feel that the rent for their property represents good value for money | 85.5% | 85.4% | 85.4% | 81.8% | Same |
| Rent collected as a percentage of the total rent due in the reporting year | 97.5% | 100.45% | 97.89% | 98.6% | Not Improved |
| Gross rent arrears as of 31 March each year as a percentage of rent due for the reporting year | 8.3% | 7.9% | 7.48% | 8.2% | Improved |
| Percentage of rent due lost through properties being empty during the last year | 0.65% | 0.63% | 0.73% | 1.4% | Not Improved |
Support available
We understand that some tenants can sometimes have problems with money and we can provide money advice to help them manage their income and pay their rent. If you would like to find out if your income can be maximised, then please get in touch. Our team would love to help you.