lettings initiatives by lynn reid. measures prior to letting initiative less impact employed...

Lettings Initiatives

By Lynn Reid

Measures Prior to LettingInitiative

Less Impact

Employed Consultants Employed Security

Guards Failed to get the Police

to apply for a Closure Order on the property used as a “den”.

More Impact

New estate management service established.

Contract to employ Police time coming to an end.

Termination of tenancy where “den” was located.

New Housing Management Service Approach 3 Generic H.O. & H.A for each patch 2 additional Housing staff New Estates Management service Build relationships with tenants and other

agencies More face to face contact Helping tenants sustain their tenancies

New Allocation Policy in Operation

Transparent with Clear Outcomes. Objective to deal with void problem / create stability Applied to all tenemental properties in the Elderpark and Ibrox areas

Assess 3 categories each with the same weighing: 1. Homeless /threatened with homeless.2. Moving to help sustain employment /training. 3. Moving to give / receive family.

Letting Incentive Applied to The Worst Area.

As at Sept 2006:58 voids between 6-40 Elderpark St 7 closed up closes 85 properties empty in Elderpark street

Why Use Incentives Poor image / Reputation Unsightly appearance Who would live in a close with a large number of voids

Incentives to Move in & Stay Reduce rents for a 5 year period

First 2 years fixed Years 3-5 phased

Decoration vouchers Carpets/White goods Fit Blinds to ground floor properties Furniture vouchers

Implementing – Letting Initiative Let from bottom of street and fill the half empty

closes first Ensure both the interior and exterior are clean and

free of graffiti Target those over 25 years – avoid giving tenancies

to those involved in ABS or potential victims of ABS Lower rent to attract more working people Improve / targeted advertisement – 2 page form –

available in Polish. Employ a Polish translator

Wanted Existing Tenant’sTo Stay. Tenant at 6-38 Elderpark St

Have their rents reduced for the same period

OR Sign up to a good tenant incentive scheme

Adhere to your tenancy agreement Receive Asda vouchers of between £100 -£200.

Outcomes

Letting initiative – All properties re-let within 7 months.

By Nov 2007 re-let times 13 days. Received funding to refurbish 2 empty closes &

convert empty shops into flats. Change in profile of tenants in tenements,

Allocation Policy (May 06 –May 08). 77% of 203 lets were homeless / threatened with 80% of 203 lets add to stability – employment/training &

or give receive /support