Housing Options
Perth and Kinross is a very popular place to live, however,
unfortunately there is a limited availability of affordable
housing to rent.
The Council and local housing associations/co-operatives are known
as Registered Social Landlords, and are often the first port of
call for many people looking to rent properties in the area.
However, the reality is that there simply aren't enough Council
houses in the area to meet the demand.
Each year around 400 Council tenancies become vacant, but with
approximately 5000 households on the waiting list for housing we're
not in a position to offer a house to everyone who wants one.
Instead, everyone who applies for housing with the Council
will be offered a
Housing Options interview. This is a professional advice
service, provided by fully-trained officers, to discuss individual
housing needs. During a one-to-one interview you will discuss your
personal housing needs and wants, and examine all of the housing
options that may be available to you.
Your Housing Options may include:
This is a partnership between Perth & Kinross Council,
Perthshire Housing Association and Hillcrest Housing Association.
Applicants only need to complete one form, and are assessed for
housing against a common set of criteria. The Common Housing
Register is aimed at offering housing vacancies to those people in
the greatest need of housing, and will not be able to offer a
solution for most people.
There are a number of housing associations or co-operatives who
offer affordable accommodation within Perth and Kinross. These
organisations are not part of the Common Housing Register and so
applicants will need to apply to each of them individually.
However, many of these associations or co-operatives offer access
to specialist housing - adapted, supported or sheltered/very
sheltered - which could offer the answer to your specific housing
needs.
If you are already a Council tenant, or a tenant of a registered
social landlord or housing association, you may be able to exchange
your current home, by agreement, with another tenant.
Private sector rented accommodation is often dismissed by people
looking for affordable housing. However, Perth & Kinross
Council has developed a range of innovative initiatives to assist
prospective tenants to access accommodation in the private rented
sector.
We have already assisted 60 households to access private rented
accommodation through the
Rent Bond Guarantee Scheme which was launched in September
2009.
We have also launch a new Social Lettings Agency which
'PKC Lets'. This offers a professional letting,
property and tenancy management service to private
landlords. For prospective tenants, this means giving them
access to a range of quality, affordable private sector properties
for rent.
Don't limit your search for housing to just the rented sector.
There are a number of low cost home ownership schemes available
which could help you become a homeowner. As part of your Housing
Options interview you will be able to find out much more about
these schemes, and whether they are a realistic solution for
you.
Finding out more
For more information about the properties that are
available through the Rent Bond Guarantee Scheme and
PKC Lets, we have developed a Housing
Options Portal which also includes information about low cost
home ownership opportunities and mutual exchanges.
Prospective tenants can search the Portal for housing opportunities
in the private sector. Portal users can also register to
receive notifications about new properties and post information and
property requests on the message board.
