Housing annual performance report 2022/2023
Contents
Getting good value from rents and service charges 2022/2023
Our average rent remains one of the lowest amongst Scottish local authorities with an average weekly rent of £76.58.
Our rent collection rates remain very strong. In 2022/23 we collected 98.87% of the rent due, an increase of over 1% in comparison to the previous year. We have increased performance in all areas in terms of rent collection and value for money.
We continue to support our tenants during the cost of living crisis. Our financial packages to help households who are struggling to pay their rent include:
- The Universal Credit Assistance Fund (UCAF) helps tenants who have fallen into rent arrears due to the five-week waiting time for Universal Credit payments.
- The Rent Assistance Fund was introduced to help council tenants who may be on low incomes and those who may be on Universal Credit who don’t qualify for any other UK or Scottish Government financial support.
Housing Solutions Income Maximisation Service provides a financial assessment; practical advice and support as well as using an online tool (budgeting/benefits calculator/advice page) and help with navigating the complex benefits system. In 2022/23 this team generated £15,041,770 in additional income for our tenants.
All of this hard work by our dedicated and professional staff is reflected in our improved performance results.
| Indicator description | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | Local authority average | NLC performance direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent collected as percentage of total rent due in the reporting year | 97.89% | 97.78% | 98.87% | 98.80% | Improved |
| Gross rent arrears (all tenants) as at 31 March each year as a percentage of rent due for the reporting year | 7.48% | 7.65% | 7.34% | 9.6% | Improved |
| Percentage of rent due lost through homes being empty during the last year | 0.73% | 1.00% | 0.89% | 1.7% | Improved |
| Percentage of tenants who feel that the rent for their property represents good value for money | 85.50% | 77.97% | 77.97% | 81.90% | No change |
We understand that some tenants can sometimes have financial problems and staff within the service are trained to deal with rent arrears, debt advice and income maximisation.
If you would like to find out if your income can be maximised, then please contact us. We are extremely keen to help as many tenants as possible during this very uncertain financial climate. Please get in touch!
Telephone - 01698 524811
Email -
southrents@northlan.gov.uk for Bellshill, Motherwell, Shotts Wishaw and Viewpark
northrents@northlan.gov.uk for Airdrie, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Moodiesburn
Contact us
Central Rents Team
01698 524811
Dalziel Building
7 Scott Street
Motherwell ML1 1SX
southrents@northlan.gov.uk
For rent enquiries in Motherwell, Wishaw, Shotts, Viewpark, Bellshill
northrents@northlan.gov.uk
For rent enquiries in Airdrie, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth, Moodiesburn