NEWS RELEASE

Housing co-operative changes rent policy

Tenants First Housing Co-operative, which has more than 1,200 affordable homes in North-east Scotland, has adopted a new rent policy following a consultation process at the end of last year.

The new system aims to be fairer by ensuring that members pay comparable rents for similar properties. Based on a points system, homes are awarded a points score, based on various attributes of the property.

Commenting on the new rent policy, Pat Cahill, Housing Manager of Tenants First, said: 

“It had become clear that we needed to change our rent system. As things stood, members staying in identical properties in the same location might be paying different amounts of rent.

“Following a consultation, our committee of management, which is composed of tenant members, approved the adoption of the points system. They felt that it was an easily-understood, fair method of setting rent levels.”

The new rent system, along with on an overall 5% annual increase, was approved by Tenants First’s committee of management in January. Notices have gone out to all members, other than those in market rent properties or supported accommodation. 

“A crucial test of the new system was to ensure that it compared favourably with other social landlords and that the new rents are affordable,” Pat Cahill confirms. “To make that as transparent as possible, the notices give the rental figures for other social landlords and also include a figure showing members what their rent would be with a straight annual increase.”

For those whose new rent is less than they currently pay, the monthly rent will be reduced gradually by up to £5 each year until the revised rent level is reached. For those whose rent is increased there will be a similar gradual increase of no more than £15 per month, each year until the required level is reached. 

Tenants First is Britain’s largest housing co-operative. Based in Aberdeen, it has more than 1,200 properties in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and parts of Angus. Tenants First is a non-profit making organisation owned and run by its members for the benefit of members.

February 22, 2008	ends

For further information:		

Ken McEwen/Rhea Hussey
The PR Partnership
Tel 01224 248007
DD 01224 216067
Mobile 07768 105449
ken@prpartnership.co.uk

or

Pat Cahill
Tenants First
Tel 01224 628400

	
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF TENANTS FIRST HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE BY
THE PR PARTNERSHIP (SCOTLAND) LTD