Aberdeen City Council Rent Management 2011/12

Aberdeen City Council Background Performance Changes in Legislation Modernisation of the Housing Officer Role What we’ll cover

Aberdeen City Council Background Number of Recovery Proceedings on the increase Legal Costs Consideration of Homeless Legislation Early intervention Transfer of responsibility for rent management Aug 2011

Aberdeen City Council 22,531 tenacies, 24% stock houses and 76% flats Gross Annual Rent Debit £70.5million 46% of Tenants on full or partial Housing Benefit Net Annual Debit £33.5million Average weekly rent £65.21 Performance Current tenants arrears as a percentage of net rent due 7.4%

Aberdeen City Council Performance cont. Amount of Current Tenants Arrears £2.4million Number of Notice of Proceedings served 2998 Number of Repossessions 99 Number of Tenancies in arrears at year end 29.6%

Aberdeen City Council Changes in Legislation From August 2012 requirement to carry out 7 pre notice requirements before issuing a Notice of Proceedings Required to give information on debt advise and other financial assistance Required to provide clear information about the rent and other obligations

Aberdeen City Council Changes in Legislation cont. Make reasonable efforts to agree reasonable repayment arrangements and Consider whether the tenant is keeping to an agreed plan for repayment along with ongoing liability

Aberdeen City Council Changes in Legislation cont. Assist with Housing Benefit applications and Consider the likely impact of any Housing Benefit Application Consider whether the tenant is taking any other steps to pay the money due

Aberdeen City Council Modernisation of the Housing Officer Role Smaller patches Generic role More responsive customer focussed service Early Intervention and Early Contact Identifying vulnerable tenants

Aberdeen City Council Modernisation of the Housing Officer Role Prevention of Homelessness Reduced Rent Arrears Reduced Costs in Re-housing Leading to reduction in Costs for Tenants