South Ayrshire Council and ten accredited private sector landlords will work in partnership from April 2005 on a pilot project to improve the condition and standards of privately rented accommodation.

In December 2004 members of the Council’s Social Justice Committee approved the pilot scheme and since then a working group, comprising Officers from the Council, landowners, representatives from South Ayrshire Landlords’ Association have been finalising the terms of the pilot scheme. In addition the Council consulted widely with key stakeholders including local landowners and Ayr Housing Aid Centre.

The pilot project has received a total of £97,500 from the Scottish Government that will be received over several financial years, 2004/05 £45,000, 2005/06 £45,000 and 2006/07 £7,500.

Ten private landlords, who will require to submit to a Disclosure Scotland check prior to taking part in the pilot scheme, will provide two properties for rent in Ayr, Troon or Prestwick. Each of the landlords will undertake to increase the availability of affordable housing, which is an outcome of the Local Housing Strategy.

Specific objectives of the project include:

• Helping landlords find more responsible tenants.
• Developing a joint approach to tackling antisocial behaviour.
• Improving the satisfaction of landlords with the services that they receive from the Council.
• Reducing the number of landlord/tenant disputes that require Council intervention.
• Enabling landlords to access improved information from the Council.

Vice Convener of the Council’s Social Justice Committee, Councillor John McDowall said: “This project will bring benefits to the Council, to private sector landlords, and to tenants who for a variety of reasons rent accommodation in the private sector.

“Private sector landlords have an important part to play in meeting the housing needs of people within South Ayrshire, by providing accommodation that is of a high standard and meets tenants requirements. By working in partnership tenants, particularly those who have previously been homeless, will have accommodation that they can be proud of.”

Accreditation provides landlords who operate good practices the opportunity to gain recognition for the services they provide. The South Ayrshire Voluntary Accreditation Scheme (SAVAS) offers members incentives, which will be extended as the scheme develops, including grants advice on upgrading accommodation, access to a variety of workshops, and support in dealing with problem tenants.

A logo will be designed and used by participating landlords to make them readily identifiable to members of the public.

March 2005