SEBG News Archive
SEBG calls for unified approach to provision of affordable housing
2nd November 2004The private rented sector has an important role to play in the provision of affordable housing for let in both urban and rural areas, according to the Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG). The Group has called for closer links between the sector, social landlords and local authorities particularly in addressing the challenges of encouraging supply and enabling cost effective maintenance of the housing stock available.
In its response to the Scottish Executive consultation document “Maintaining Houses – Preserving Homes”, the Group suggests that closer involvement of the private let sector in the development of Local Housing Strategies and representation on Local Housing Forums would be ways to help achieve improvements in housing stock.
SEBG Deputy Chairman Andrew Bruce Wootton said today:
“The vast majority of the private let sector is run responsibly and contributes significantly to Scotland’s housing needs, particularly in the countryside where potential for expansion of the housing stock is limited. SEBG believes an effective way to achieve improvements in Scotland’s housing stock would be for the closer involvement of the sector in the development of Local Housing Strategies, including representation on Local Housing Forums.
“Upgrading the Scottish housing stock to above Tolerable Standard will depend not only on the commitment and ability of landlords to complete required repairs and improvements timeously, but on the availability of suitably skilled contractors to carry out the work. Most landlords do not employ building, plumbing, electrical staff, for example but subcontract local suppliers – generally in short supply and becoming increasingly expensive.
“One way to tackle this difficulty might be for the private let sector to develop closer links at the local level with those social landlords with access to maintenance contractors, in the management and maintenance of let property. Such links might see, as a quid pro quo, certain newly vacated properties in the private sector being offered on acceptable terms to social landlords for the placement of prospective tenants. Closer liaison between the different sectors and the local authorities should help support a constructive and unified approach to providing available and affordable housing of a suitable standard.”
