1. West Lothian Council Advice Shop “Early intervention is good business” Brian Pearson Senior Housing Adviser West Lothian Council

2. Introduction  Where is the advice shop  What services are provided  Why is helping tenants good for business  Need for early intervention  Tenant as customer  Providing the right service

3. Where is the advice shop We are situated in Bathgate Unit 9 – 12 Waverley Industrial Estate Waverley Street Bathgate EH48 4HY 01506 776444 Advice.shop@westlothian.gov.uk

4. What services are provided Information, advice, assistance, and representation on;  Benefits  Energy  Money  Housing  Income maximisation  Special projects

5. Why is helping tenants good for business Ensuring your tenants can sustain the tenancy  HB paying rent on time  HB backdates to pay outstanding rent  Avoiding any delays in benefit  Ultimately maximising your rental income Going the extra step can be worthwhile

6. Need for early intervention  Avoid potential delays in benefit claims  Getting the tenancy off to a good start  Dealing with problems before they get worse  Legal action is expensive for dealing with problems left unresolved for a long period of time  Avoid relet costs down the road  Happy tenant is income to your business – ensure they get the right help makes sense

7. Tenant as customer  You run a business, your customer is the tenant  You have duties to that tenant with regards repair obligations  Your customer has security of tenancy and statutory protection in certain areas  To terminate a tenancy requires the correct notices  Changing tenants on a regular basis costs money  Providing a service that matters and going the extra mile prevents problems from occurring  Tenants that feel respected by there landlord, wont want to move, they will spread the word. Good reputation

8. Providing the right service  Remember your legal obligations  Work with your tenant to ensure their obligations are met  Is your tenant fully aware of their obligations  Carry out safety checks  Make sure you are registered for each property  HMO’s  Ending tenancies correctly  Illegal eviction

9. Providing the right service cont… If unsure get advice  Contact the advice shop  Speak to a solicitor  Check Shelter’s website  Keep your self within the law  Section 11

10. Section 11  Section 11 is a duty not a choice  West Lothian Council are here to help  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built- Environment/Housing/access/homeless/s11 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built- Environment/Housing/access/homeless/s11  Ian Treger Quality Development Officer can be contacted on 01506 777307  Email Ian.Treger@westlothian.gov.ukIan.Treger@westlothian.gov.uk  Brian Pearson details 01506 776463

11. Thank You