Renfrewshire Council

We are taking forward a £100m investment programme to help improve council housing within Renfrewshire by creating modern, affordable, high-quality, energy-efficient council homes. Phase 1 will focus on eight areas across Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone.

The programme will make major improvements to existing buildings, but it is about much more than that - we will also consider how to improve the wider environment, including outside and communal areas, and how to keep fuel bills down by making homes more energy-efficient. As well as improvements to existing homes, we are building around 350 new council homes across four of the areas. Resident were consulted in summer 2021 on the initial plans for their area, and changes were made to the plans based on the responses to that.

ON THIS PAGE:

What's happening
The eight areas and why they were chosen

Information for council tenants 
If your property is proposed for demolition
Help with moving costs
If your property is proposed for improvement 

Information for owners
What it means for owner-occupiers
What it means for non-resident owners/private landlords
Assistance with the cost of works

Information for private tenants 
What it means for private tenants

What's happening

The eight areas and why they were chosen

The eight areas in the first phase of the programme are: Auchentorlie, Ferguslie/Broomlands, Howard Street area, Springbank/Mossvale, Thrushcraigs and Waverley Road (all Paisley); as well as the Moorpark area in Renfrew and the Howwood Road area in Johnstone. You can read more on the plans for each area, including the likely timescales and next steps, on the area webpages listed under the Related Articles tab on this page.

These eight areas have been identified as being in particular need of investment. We carried out a detailed assessment of local housing stock, taking account of a range of factors including demand, turnover, rent loss from empty property, repairs and future investment requirements. Some of the areas will see a combination of investment in existing properties and demolition/new-build, which takes account of the points above but also allows for a mixture of property types and size in each area to be retained.

Information for council tenants 

If your property is proposed for demolition

If you are a council tenant in a property planned for demolition, you will be offered suitable alternative accommodation in line with the council's allocation policy. For most people this will mean similar-sized accommodation in the local area.

Where people want to remain in their area, we will accommodate this whenever we can, but we cannot guarantee you will be offered a new-build property. This will depend on the size and type of properties that are being built. All properties will be allocated under our existing allocation policy, and any offers made will be subject to satisfactory tenancy reports, good conduct and a satisfactory rent account. Please note you are responsible for keeping us updated about any changes in your circumstances.

Rehousing will take place on a phased basis. This means not all tenants will need to move straight away. If you are a tenant who is moving to a new-build, you may be able to move straight from your existing home to the new one when it is completed. If you need to move to allow new homes to be built, you will be re-housed elsewhere, but have the option to return to the area when the new homes are complete.

If you are required to move in the first phase of tenant re-housing, officers will be in touch with you. Alternatively you can arrange a housing options appointment by calling your local housing office on 0300 300 0222. There will be a range of options open to you and we would be keen to speak to you to help you find the best one for your circumstances.

If you wish to move to a new area, you can discuss your housing options with our advisors. Your housing application will be dealt with under our allocation policy, taking account of your current needs and circumstances. You can choose up to five areas within Renfrewshire to be re-housed in.

If you wish to move outwith the phasing strategy for your area, you can discuss your options with our housing advisors. Please note only the tenants who we are asking to move will be treated as a regeneration priority. Any other application will be decided based on your current housing needs, in line with our current policy.

Help with moving costs

All council tenants can apply for a home-loss payment subject to qualification criteria of £1,500 plus moving assistance. We can normally organise and cover the costs for council tenants for the following: 

• the hire of a removal company to move from your present home to your new home; 
• disconnection/reconnection of telephones;
• disconnection/reconnection of TV aerials, washing machines, cookers; and 
• uplifting and refitting of existing carpets (not laminate flooring). 

It is the tenants' responsibility to organise and pay for mail redirection and the disconnection/reconnection of Sky/satellite or cable television. Costs associated with both can be reclaimed from us on production of a valid bill/receipt.

If your property is proposed for improvement

We are planning improvements to existing buildings, subject to owner agreement. This will make homes more energy-efficient and help keep fuel bills down. This will in most cases include:

• new roofs, including new roof trims, gutters and rainwater pipes, and the addition of solar panels;
• external wall insulation (note - this only applies to the deck-access blocks north of the main road, not to the tenement flats on Ferguslie Walk);
• new close doors, repainted closes and repairs to stair treads;
• new TV aerials;
• (in some cases) new windows;

There will also be improvements to outdoor and common areas such as closes, back courts, bin stores and recycling facilities.

It is proposed any internal improvements will only be carried out when properties naturally become empty. Therefore, we don't expect anyone will have to move out during the improvements.

Information for owners

What it means for owner-occupiers

If you own a property in an area approved for demolition and we agree to proceed with demolition, we would appoint an independent valuer to enter into discussions with owners or their representatives. There will be various options open to you and we will help you find the best one for you. These could include; 

• sell to the council and buy another property; 
• sell to the council and become a council tenant in another property; or
• in some circumstances we can look at the possibility of a swap (excambion) for another empty council property of similar value;

What it means for non-resident owners/private landlords

If you own a property in an area proposed for demolition, we will appoint an independent valuer to enter into discussions with owners or their representatives. Your options include: 

• sell to the council and buy another property, or;
• in some circumstances we can look at the possibility of a swap (excambion) for another empty council property of similar value.

The council will not acquire any properties while a private tenant is in situ.

Assistance with the cost of works

If you are an owner within a block approved for retrofit investment, you will be liable to pay a share of the costs. We are currently compiling more information on the likely costs of your share of the work, and the financial support we may be able to give you towards that, and this will be shared with you once complete.

Information for Private Tenants 

What it means for private tenants

If you live in a privately-rented property which is due to be demolished, the landlord would be made aware of this and would be required to follow the conditions of your lease agreement. The private landlord could offer you alternative housing if they have other rental properties available. Private tenants can also contact the council for housing options advice on 0300 300 0222.

If you live in a property scheduled for improvement works, these will mainly apply to the outside of the building - we don't expect you will have to move out during the improvements.