Housing

Who can apply

Anyone who is 16 or older can apply to a housing association.

Because of demand, housing associations usually prioritise people from specific groups, including:

• people on a low income
• older people
• disabled people
• people who need support to live in their own home.

Check the list of housing associations in Renfrewshire below to find out which ones are relevant to you and how to contact them.

How housing associations work

You must apply directly to a housing association, not to the council, if you want to get onto a housing association's waiting list.

Different housing associations cover different areas, so you might want to apply to more than one, depending on where you want to live.

Once you're on a waiting list, the housing association will contact you once they have a suitable home to offer you. Because of demand, there's no guarantee that you'll be offered a home.

List of housing associations in Renfrewshire

There are 14 housing associations in Renfrewshire. They have around 9,000 homes between them.

Check the list of housing associations in Renfrewshire, what types of homes they have, and how to contact them so you can apply.

Housing associations are not-for-profit organisations that provide affordable homes to people.

Although housing associations are not part of the council, we work closely with them to help local people find homes. For example, we can refer people who have applied for council housing to get a housing association property.

'Council housing' are houses and flats owned by the council. They have lower rents and more secure tenancies than many private rentals.

You can apply to rent one of these homes from us.

You can apply for council housing if you're over 16.

Because there's lots of demand for council housing, we offer homes to people based on their level of need. You're more likely to get a council home if you:

• are homeless or could become homeless
• live in a home that's too small for the number of people living there
• have a medical condition made worse by your current home.

Check our housing allocation policy if you want the full details.

If you're homeless or think you might become homeless, read our homelessness help and advice.

Before you apply, make sure you have:

• a copy of your ID, such as a passport, driving licence, or birth certificate
• your email address or phone number.

We'll also ask you for other relevant information, including:

• 3 years of address history
• income details
• the names and birth dates of anyone else in your household.

Apply for council housing online.

If you'd rather apply over the phone with one of our housing assistants, you'll need to book a phone appointment. You can do this by:

• contacting us online
• phoning us on 0300 300 0222.

Let us know if you need information in other formats, including:

• Braille
• large print
• another language
• a signer or interpreter.

You can do this by:

• contacting us online
• phoning us on 0300 300 0222.

We'll aim to contact you within 10 days to discuss your application or other information you might need to provide.

Then, once we've finished reviewing your application, we'll send you a letter telling you your priority grouping. Your application will then be 'live'.

Since demand is high, we offer people homes based on their priority grouping. These are based on housing need. Read our housing allocation policy for more details.

Once your application is live, you can also tell us if you're interested in specific homes that are currently available. You do not have to do this, but these homes may become available sooner. You can do this by checking what homes are currently available to rent.

You'll need to tell us if your circumstances change while you're waiting for council housing. You can do this by:

• contacting us online
• phoning us on 0300 300 0222.

Information you might need to provide

We might ask you to provide additional information alongside your email address and ID, depending on your reason for moving.

• Because your current home is too small or big: a copy of your tenancy agreement, property missives, or other official proof of your property size.
• Because of harassment targeted at you in or around your home: we'll only give priority to you if there's evidence that the harassment is targeted at you or a member of your household while in or around your current accommodation. You must provide written confirmation from a relevant agency, such as the police or your landlord.
• Because of domestic abuse: supporting documents from a social worker, Victim Support, or Women's Aid, or written confirmation from you or your joint applicant confirming that domestic abuse is happening.
• Because of a relationship breakdown: letter from your solicitor or written proof from your partner confirming the relationship breakdown.
• To give or receive support: letter from a relevant agency (such as a social worker, health professional, or proof of DLA, PIP, carers allowance, or attendance allowance) and a letter from both parties explaining why you need to move.
• Due to mobility issues: we'll complete the mobility application with you when we phone you.
• Because you want a home of your own: official proof of address.
• Due to repossession or court order: copy of the repossession or court order confirming that your house will be repossessed or sold and the reasons why.
• Due to receiving Notice to Leave: written proof confirming that your tenancy is not being renewed and that you must leave through no fault of your own, and a copy of the Notice to Leave. Your landlord should give you these if they want you to leave. If you're unsure what these documents are, phone us on 0300 300 0222 for more information.
• Because you need to leave tied accommodation: a letter from your landlord confirming your date to leave and the reasons you must leave. We'll also need a copy of your employment contract.
• If you're leaving residential care, hospital, or supported accommodation: written confirmation from the relevant agency that you'll have nowhere to live when you leave. If you have a date to leave, provide written confirmation of the date.
• If you're currently in prison: written confirmation from the relevant agency that you're currently in prison and will have nowhere to live when you leave. If you have a date to leave, provide written confirmation of the date.
• If you're leaving HM Armed Forces: a letter from HM Armed Forces confirming that you're leaving HM Armed Forces and will have nowhere to live when you leave. If you have a date of discharge, provide written confirmation of the date.
• If you're moving to take up or stay in employment: written evidence to support your circumstances, such as a letter from your employer or prospective employer supporting the application and outlining why you or your joint applicant need to move to keep or take up employment.
• For access to children, joint custody, or shared custody: written confirmation from a solicitor or ex-partner confirming details of overnight access.
• If you'll be adopting or fostering a child: written confirmation from the local authority or agency you've applied to that you're in the final stages of the assessment process and require an additional bedroom to be approved to adopt or foster. We'll only consider applications that are in the final stages of this process and are approved subject to gaining an additional bedroom.
• If your current property is below the tolerable standard: copy of confirmation from Renfrewshire Council's Environment and Infrastructure Services confirming that your property fails to meet the tolerable standard.

Dry out your home

Dry out any affected rooms by keeping doors and windows open where possible, and leave your heating on. 

Leave cupboard doors and drawers open to allow them to dry more quickly. 

A dehumidifier can also help with drying out the room further. Email us at repairs@renfrewshire.gov.uk to ask us about getting one.

Keep any damaged items

Don't throw away any water-damaged possessions or furnishings straight away, as your insurance company may need to take a look at them. Store everything together in a dry place.

Check your insurance policy

Check your insurance policy as soon as possible. This may cover the costs of temporary accommodation for you and your family if you need it. The council does not provide home contents insurance for furniture, belongings or decor damaged by burst pipes. 

If you're a council tenant, you can join the AVIVA contents insurance scheme or make your own arrangements for home contents insurance. 

How to defrost a frozen pipe

Step 1: Find where the pipe is blocked

If one of your pipes is frozen, find out where the blockage of frozen ice is first.

Do this by looking for signs of freezing along the pipes. Use your hands to feel along the pipe until you find the section that feels colder than the rest of the pipe.

During very cold weather, you may find more than one section of a pipe has frozen. This is more likely to occur where pipes are exposed to draughts or where a pipe enters your home from the outside.

Step 2: Protect your possessions and furniture

If a pipe is frozen, protect everything around it to avoid any damage if it bursts. Move smaller items out of the way and cover up larger items.

Step 3: Turn off the stopcock

Turn the water off at the stopcock to prevent any more leaking. The stopcock is a tap that controls the water flow from the mains water supply into your home. It is usually found under the kitchen sink or in your hallway.

If you have a cold water tank, the stopcock is usually found in the attic or loft.

Step 4: Run the closest tap

Run the cold tap closest to the part of the pipe that's frozen. This will allow melting water to flow away from the section of frozen pipe.

Step 5: Start defrosting the pipe

Slowly and carefully thaw the ice in the pipe with a hairdryer, starting at the top end and working backwards towards the cold water tank. 

Do not hold the hairdryer too close to the pipes. Take care as the pipe could burst at any time and spray water as it starts to thaw.

If you don't have a hairdryer, you can slowly thaw out the frozen section of the pipe by covering it with hot water bottles or heat packs.

Never use a naked flame or a heat gun to thaw out ice, as this is a fire hazard and could damage your pipes.

Step 6: Check the pipe for damage

Once you've thawed out your pipes, check them thoroughly for any signs of damage, like cracks; bulges; or leaks. 

If the pipes are damaged, tell us by phoning 0300 300 0300.

Step 7: Turn on the taps

Once the blockage has thawed, turn your stopcock back on and run the water until it starts running at a normal flow.

How to prevent frozen pipes

The most common reasons for frozen pipes are:

• poorly protected pipes that are not properly insulated
• exposure to icy draughts, usually caused by cracks or gaps where the pipe enters your home
• warm air or heating not reaching pipes near or inside cupboards if the cupboard doors are closed.

Get your house insulated

There are some things you can do prevent frozen pipes and keep the heat in your home including:

• getting your loft and the sides of your water tanks insulated
• wrapping your pipes in lagging to prevent them getting damaged or bursting - lagging is a foam material that insulates them to keep the heat in the pipes
• filling in wall gaps or cracks.

To get insulation or lagging installed, or wall gaps or cracks filled, ask for this on the Report a housing repair form.

Turn the heating and hot water on regularly

Many modern boilers have a frost protection thermostat which turns on automatically if the temperature drops enough for your pipes to freeze. You should check this is working properly.

In very cold weather, you may need to leave your heating on a low setting, or set it to come on a couple of times a day, especially if you're going to be away from your home for more than a few days.

Open cupboard doors when the heating is on to prevent the pipes inside from freezing. 

Find where the stopcock is

Make sure you know where the stopcock is in your home. Check that you can turn it off easily in an emergency.

If you can't find your stopcocks, phone our repair service on 0300 300 0300.

If you're going to be away from your home

If your property is going to be empty for a while more than a few days during winter:

• make sure the water is turned off at the mains
• leave the central heating on low
• ask a friend or relative to check your home regularly to make sure that your pipes haven't burst or frozen
• let your housing officer know if there is any risk of water pipes freezing whilst you are away.

If a frozen pipe has burst in your home, phone us on 0300 300 0300.

In the meantime, try to remove the leaked water and sort out any damage to your home and possessions.

Gas leaks

If you smell gas or suspect you have a gas leak, freephone the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999, any time of the day or night, any day of the year. 

You should then:

• turn the gas supply off at the meter by moving the handle at the gas meter to the horizontal position
• open all windows and doors to allow any gas to escape.

Do not use any naked flames, like matches or lighters, and do not turn any sockets or lights on or off as this could ignite any gas leaks.

If you have no gas, or have high or low pressure, phone the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

You can use the Relay service from BT if you have hearing or speech difficulties, or use the SignLive app to contact the National Gas Emergency Service. SignLive provides a free 24-hour online interpreting service for British Sign Language (BSL) users. 

No gas supply

If you have no gas supply, check if the gas isolation valve (the handle on the gas meter) is switched on or off. If it's horizontal, it is off. Turn it upwards to turn it back on.

Gas fuelled heating and hot water

If you have no heating or hot water, firstly check the gas pilot light. You'll find it in the access panel of your boiler. If the flame has gone out, press the reset button on the boiler.

If the radiators are not very hot, check the timer is set correctly.

If these do not work, phone us on 0300 300 0300.

Carbon monoxide safety

What carbon monoxide is

Carbon monoxide is a very poisonous gas which you cannot see or smell. Any gas, oil, or coal heater or fire can produce carbon monoxide. Breathing in carbon monoxide can make you feel tired and dizzy and can give you headaches and chest pains.

Carbon monoxide can kill.

If you suspect there are high levels of carbon monoxide in your property, you should:

• open all doors and windows
• move everyone, including pets if possible, into the fresh air
• phone the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999, use the Relay service from BT if you have hearing or speech difficulties, or use the SignLive app who provide a free 24-hour online interpreting service for British Sign Language (BSL) users. 

Carbon monoxide detectors

We install carbon monoxide detectors in every council home.

These are designed to detect levels of carbon monoxide before they reach harmful levels.

If you think your carbon monoxide alarm is not working, or the alarm is ringing, contact us immediately on 0300 300 0300.

Do not remove them, as they are checked as part of your annual gas safety check.

If we find these essential alarms have been removed on purpose, we'll replace them and charge you for the cost.

Your annual safety check

We have a legal duty as your landlord to maintain and check all the gas appliances, systems, and carbon monoxide detectors, in your home, including any we have installed, or any you have permission from us to have installed.

See below what you can install in your home.

To do this, we must carry out a gas safety and carbon monoxide alarm check once a year to service and keep your alarms and gas appliances in good working order and safe for use. 

If you're a new council tenant, or you've moved to another council property, we'll also carry out a safety check before you move in.

Your appointment

As part of your tenancy agreement, you must allow us access to your home so that we can carry out these essential checks. If you do not, we may have to force entry to your property, and you'll have to pay any costs such as repairs to the door.

Contact us if you need to change your appointment:

• online through the Report a housing repair form
• by phoning us on 0300 300 0300
• by email at repairs@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

We'll give you a copy of your gas safety certificate, which includes confirmation that your carbon monoxide alarm is safe and working, when the check is complete.

What you can install in your home

Gas heaters and appliances for heating water

You need written permission from us if you want to install a gas-powered heater, boiler, or hot water tank for heating your radiators.

Contact your local Neighbourhood Services team first to ask about installing gas appliances in your home.

Once you have permission to install and use it, we'll maintain and service it. However, we'll shut down any unsafe gas appliances that have not been installed by us.

If you move home

If you move out of your council house, any gas appliances installed there or left behind become the property of the council. You should not remove any appliances that were there when you moved in.

If you take any gas appliances with you, you must replace them with a suitable, fit-for-purpose heating appliance, and it must be properly installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You will have to pay for the replacement and the cost of the engineer to install it.

The Gas Safe Register is the official list of businesses that are legally permitted to carry out gas work. You can check if a gas engineer is registered on the Gas Safe Register website.

What you should not do in your home

You must make sure that gas fumes or carbon monoxide do not build up in rooms as this could lead to death or injury.

Do not block or cover any air vents within your property.

Open-flue gas appliances have a single pipe that removes combustion by-products through an external wall. 

Under current gas-safety regulations, you must not fit open-flue gas appliances in rooms that are used for sleeping, even on a temporary basis. You must also not start using a room as a bedroom if it has these appliances.

You should not use rotating ceiling fans in rooms which have an open-flue (conventional) gas appliance, as they can lead to fumes including carbon monoxide being drawn back into the room rather than being removed through the flue or chimney.

If a gas engineer working in your home discovers this, we will make sure that you cannot use the appliance until the ceiling fan has been permanently disconnected.

If you smell gas, call 0800 111 999 immediately (24 hours).

Burst pipes

If a pipe has burst, phone us on 0300 300 0300.

Frozen pipes

If a frozen pipe has burst in your home, phone us on 0300 300 0300.

What to do if you have frozen pipes in your home.

Leaks

If you have a leak, turn the water off at the stopcock to prevent any more water leaking. 

The stopcock is a tap that controls water flowing from the mains water supply into your home. It is usually found under the kitchen sink or in your hallway.

Once you find the stopcock for the main water supply, turn it to the right (clockwise) to turn it off.

A leak may not stop immediately if water is still flowing from the storage tank or the hot water tank. You should turn on other taps to drain down the tanks.

Before you drain the tanks:

• check the immersion heater is switched off if you have an electricity powered tank
• switch off the water heater if you have gas heating. 

If that does not stop the leak, phone us on 0300 300 0300 or report the housing repair online.

No water supply

Check the stopcock is open first, then check with your neighbours if they have a water supply.

If their water has also stopped, there may be a burst mains pipe. Contact Scottish Water on 0800 0778 778 to report it. 

If the problem just affects your own water supply, phone us on 0300 300 0300 for advice.

Taps will not turn off

If the water is running very quickly, you may need to turn the water off at the stopcock. You may have a separate stopcock for the kitchen sink that you also need to turn off. 

If you need water in the meantime,  you can turn on the stopcock briefly to get the water you need and then turn if off again. 

If the taps continue to run water, phone us on 0300 300 0300.

Water leaking from the ceiling

If you're on the top floor of your building, and the problem is caused by a leaking roof, we will arrange for a temporary roof repair.

Phone us on 0300 300 0300 to report a ceiling leak.

However, for health and safety reasons, we cannot go onto a roof in the dark, during high winds, or when it is raining.

If there is another flat above you, speak to the person living there and get them to turn off their water. If they are not in, check the flats on both sides and the floor above your flat, as sometimes the leak can travel some distance before it becomes noticeable.

If it's a privately owned empty property upstairs, we cannot enter it to repair a leak without first going through a legal process. 

Discoloured water

If your water is not clear or is a different colour to normal, there may be a problem with the water supply.

Phone Scottish Water on 0800 0778 778 for advice or see the discoloured water FAQs on the Scottish Water website.

Blocked toilet

Do not block your toilet with:

• children's toys
• nappies
• entire toilet rolls
• kitchen roll
• paper
• plastic toilet fresheners

If an object accidentally falls into the toilet bowl, you should always remove it by lifting it out. Never try to flush it away.

If it causes a blockage, you will have to pay for the repair.

Toilet will not flush

If your toilet will not flush, we'll fix it by the end of the next working day. Phone us on 0300 300 0300 to report the issue.

In the meantime, you can manually flush the toilet by pouring a bucket of water down it after each use.

Blocked sink or bath

Some blockages will clear by themselves if they are left for a few hours. 

If they do not, try using a plunger, sink unblocking agent or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to clear blocked sinks or baths. 

Take care when using unblocking products as they can be corrosive or harmful to surfaces and your skin. Always follow the manufacturers' instructions.

Blocked shower head

It is your responsibility to regularly clean, maintain or replace the shower head in your bathroom.

If you cannot fix the blockage

If you cannot fix the blockage, phone us on 0300 300 0300.

How soon we can fix it will depend on the issue, and if it's an emergency or not.

How long a repair will take.

There are actions you can take if you have one of these plumbing issues in your home:

• burst pipes
• frozen pipes
• a leak
• no water supply
• discoloured water
• the taps will not turn off
• there's a leak in the ceiling
• the toilet is blocked
• the toilet will not flush
• the sink or bath is blocked
• the shower head is blocked.

If this does not solve the problem, you may need to phone us on 0300 300 0300.

How to prevent condensation

Bathing, washing, and cooking all produce moisture that cannot be avoided. The first step in reducing condensation is to produce less moisture in your home.

You can reduce or stop condensation from forming in your home by following these steps.

Cooking and heating in your kitchen

Keep lids on pots when cooking. Turn the heat down once the water has boiled. Only use the smallest amount of water needed in the pot.

Keep the doors closed, open the window slightly or switch on the extractor fan for about 20 minutes after cooking.

Do not use your gas cooker to heat up your kitchen. This is dangerous and burning gas produces moisture.

Showering and bathing

Close doors when washing in the bathroom and open windows afterwards.

If you're filling the bath, run the cold water first and then the hot to reduce steam, which leads to condensation, by up to 90%.

Open the window slightly or switch on the extractor fan for about 20 minutes after use.

Laundry and clothes drying

When drying washing, dry outside where possible. Route your tumble dryer vent to outside your home if possible. 

If you are drying clothes inside, open windows for ventilation.

Avoid putting wet clothes on radiators.

Ventilation and opening windows

Ventilation allows moist air to escape and increases the volume of air moving through the home. Many houses have built in ventilation measures such as extractor fans or trickle vents, small openings in windows that let fresh air in from the outside.

You can increase ventilation and improve airflow in your home if you:

• open windows twice a day for at least 15 minutes to let air in and moisture out, or make sure trickle vents are open
• allow air to circulate in bedrooms  at night
• open windows and keep doors closed when there's steam in your kitchen or bathroom
• use your extractor fan if you have one
• wipe away condensation when it appears on windows.

If the extractor fan in your kitchen or bathroom is not working, contact us through the Report a repair online form or phone us on 0300 300 0300 and we will arrange to have it repaired or replaced.

Heating and temperature control

Keep your home warm and well ventilated. You are more likely to have condensation if your home is not kept warm. 

Avoid heating one room and leaving the other rooms cold, if possible. Try to keep temperatures in all rooms above 15C as this will reduce condensation on outside walls.

Make sure your furniture isn't blocking radiators so the warm air can circulate.

Avoid using gas or paraffin heaters as these produce high levels of moisture.

If you need help with your energy bills, contact our Energy Advice Team.

Insulation

Insulating your home  and preventing heat escaping can help tackle the problem of damp or mould through:

• warming the surface temperature of walls, ceilings, and windows
• increasing the overall temperature of the home
• reducing heating costs - meaning it's more affordable to heat your home to a higher standard.

We can arrange a visit from a Repairs and Maintenance Officer if you want to find out about insulating your home. 

Contact us online through the Report a repair form or phone us on 0300 300 0300.

Cold surfaces

Reduce the number of cold surfaces in your home by avoiding:

• putting furniture against outside walls that are always colder
• overfilling wardrobes and cupboards as it restricts air flow inside them and between them and the walls.

If you do this, make sure there is a gap between the furniture and the wall, and the furniture is not filled up.

How to prevent and remove mould

The best way of tackling mould is to reduce the condensation levels and prevent it from growing in the first place. 

However, there are some steps you can take to remove it.

To remove mould and prevent it from returning, wipe down or spray walls and surfaces with a fungicidal wash. You can often buy these products at supermarkets and DIY shops. Follow the instructions for use carefully.

After treatment, redecorate using a good quality fungicidal paint or wallpaper paste to prevent mould coming back.

However, fungicidal, or anti-condensation paint will not work if it is covered with ordinary paint or wallpaper.

If clothing or fabrics are affected:

• dry-clean mouldy clothes
• shampoo any affected carpets as mould cannot be removed by using a brush or vacuum cleaner.

Report an issue with mould and damp

If you've done all this and you can still see signs of damp or mould, tell us about this as soon as possible. We work with specialists who can install sensors to monitor the conditions and identify the cause before eradicating the problem.

Contact us through the Report a repair online form or phone us on 0300 300 0300.
 
We'll arrange for a repair and maintenance officer to visit your home and assess the issue.

Condensation occurs when moist air meets a cold surface and creates water droplets. For example, when a bathroom mirror steams up after a shower.

If untreated, condensation can lead to stains and mould. It can damage wallpaper, walls, ceilings, window frames, furniture, and clothing. 

You may not realise condensation is a problem until black mould patches start to appear on walls and ceilings, or sometimes on furniture and clothes. It can also cause timber on windowsills to rot.

Condensation can happen in rooms where a large amount of moisture is produced or when moist air moves to colder areas in your home. For example, if the main living room is heated but the bedrooms are unheated. 

This can occur:

• in kitchens and bathrooms
• behind wardrobes, beds, cupboards, or furniture placed against an outside wall
• inside wardrobes
• on mirrors, single glazed windows, and metal window frames
• in corners of unheated rooms and cold parts of outside walls.

If your electricity cuts out, there are things you can do to find out what caused it where the problem is. 

We also do an electrical safety check in your home every five years.

If your electricity cuts out, you can check what may have caused the power failure.

However, it is not safe to investigate a power supply, switch, socket, or appliance that is not working.

If your building or street has no electricity

If you have a power cut in your home, check if your neighbours are affected as well. 

Check also if the lights or power are working on the stairs or communal areas of your building.

If the power outage affects other people in your building or street, freephone Scottish Power Energy Networks on 105 to report the issue. 

If your home has no electricity

If it's just your property that has no electricity, it's likely the issue is inside your home. 

First, check the main trip switch in your fuse box. The main trip switch controls the power supply in your own house or flat. Your fuse box is usually located next to your electric meter.

If the main trip switch is down, move it back up to turn the power back on. 

If it trips again and the power goes off, contact us and tell us you have no electricity at all. An electrician will come and investigate the problem.

If it's a faulty socket or appliance

The electrical power failure could be caused by a faulty appliance or socket in your home. 

This can happen when:

• there are too many appliances on a circuit, and it's overloaded
• an appliance is faulty
• water has leaked into a circuit or has spilled onto a plug
• there is faulty or damaged wiring in a socket
• a light bulb has blown.

First, check all the trip switches in your fuse box.

The trip switch supplying the faulty appliance or socket can switch off to break the electrical circuit.

If any of them are down, push them to the up position. You may also need turn the main switch off, then on again, to reset the system.

If it trips again and the power goes off, see if you can identify an appliance causing the fault.

Disconnect or unplug the appliances powered by that trip switch and then turn the trip switch back on again.

If this restores the electricity, there may be a problem with one of your appliances. If other appliances work in the same socket, get the appliance checked by a qualified electrician.

If no appliance works in the socket you've identified, contact us and tell us you have no electricity in part of your home. We'll arrange an appointment for an electrician to come and investigate the problem.

If the lighting is not working

If you have no lighting in part of your home, first check if the lightbulb in that part of your house is working or needs to be replaced.

If this does not solve the issue, contact us and tell us you have no lighting in part of your home.

If you've run out of credit

If you use a card meter to top up your electricity supply, the power will be cut off if you do not have enough credit on your account. 

Check the balance of your meter, either on the meter box itself or online. 

If it is too low or zero, you'll you will need to add more credit to reconnect your electricity supply.

Report a housing repair

You can also report an electrical issue by:

• phone on 0300 300 0300
• email at repairs@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

Why we need to do a safety check

We have a legal duty to carry out an electrical safety test in your home every five years. 

This means sending an electrician to your home to carry out a safety inspection. 

We do this for the safety of our tenants and our property; and to fulfil our obligations as your landlord.

Before your electrical safety check

We'll send you a letter around 8 weeks before your electrical safety check is due. 

It's important that you respond to this letter. 

You must contact us to book your appointment.

You can book or change your appointment:

• online through the Report a housing repair form
• by phone on 0300 300 0300
• by email at repairs@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

If you forget to contact us, we'll send you a reminder.

Unsafe electrical systems or appliances are dangerous and can cause death or injury, so it is very important that you allow us to carry out these checks. 

Your electrical safety appointment

As part of your tenancy agreement, you must allow us access to your home so that we can carry out these essential checks. 

If you do not, we may have to force entry to your property, and you'll have to pay any costs such as repairs to the door.

Before we arrive, make sure:

• the cupboard or area around the fuse box and electricity meter is clear so the electrician can access it
• all electrical sockets and light switches are accessible.

We'll carry out the inspection in a safe manner and clean switches and surfaces before and after the safety test.

Fire safety in high-rise residential buildings

Living in a flat in a high-rise residential building does not make you more at risk from fire.

Built to be fire resistant

Our 14 high-rise residential buildings are built and designed with fire safety in mind.

The walls and doors between flats, stairs and corridors are designed to resist fire and stop smoke spreading.

All our high-rise buildings have lots of fire safety measures in place:

• interlinked smoke and heat detectors in each council flat
• 60-minute fire resistant doors
• fire alarms in every building
• bin store fire detection and suppression systems
• daily housekeeping checks by concierges and caretakers
• operational inspections four times a year by the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service
• testing of emergency lighting, dry risers and fire hydrants every year.

Fire alarms

There are fire alarms in all the communal areas, stairwells, lift and plant rooms of every building.

Fire escape plan

Plan what you should do if there’s a fire in your flat or in your building:

• know how to exit quickly, especially at night
• know who is responsible for getting the children
• know where your front door key is
• have a designated ‘safe room’ in case you cannot escape, choose a room with a phone and a window
• practice your fire escape plan regularly and ensure everyone in your flat knows what to do in an emergency.

What to do if there’s a fire

If there’s a fire in your flat

Smoke and heat alarms in your flat give early warning, giving you time to escape safely. You should:

• keep calm, make sure everyone in your home knows there’s a fire then get out quickly
• don't stop to collect belongings
• if there’s smoke, stay low and crawl on the floor
• close doors behind you to prevent the spread of smoke and fire
• don't go back or try to fight the fire
• always use the stairs to get out the building, don't use the lift
• if you can, activate the fire alarm in the break-glass unit on the landing
• once you’re out, stay out and keep a safe distance, phone 999 giving your full address including your flat number and floor.

What to do if you are trapped

In the unlikely event you are trapped by fire:

• everyone should go to your ‘safe room’ in your flat, if possible furthest away from the fire or smoke
• phone 999 as soon as possible and give your full address, including your flat number and floor
• fill any gaps around the door with towels or sheets to prevent smoke from entering
• stand by the open window and shout for help to let your neighbours and firefighters know you need rescued
• if it’s safe, gather on a balcony so people can see you.

If your front door becomes hot, do not open it. If you can, wet it down.

If the fire is not in your flat

If you see or smell smoke in your building, bin area or bin chute, you should:

• activate the nearest fire alarm call point or phone 999 and give the fire’s location
• stay put inside your flat – you'll be safer inside
• keep your front door closed and close all windows and doors
• fill any gaps around the door with towels or sheets to prevent smoke from entering
• do not block the fire doors on landings or stairwells as they are there to restrict smoke transfer
• go to an open window and wait for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to arrive.

Only leave your flat if you’re affected by the heat or smoke or if you are told to by firefighters or police.

Stay put policy

All our high-rise buildings follow the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service ‘stay put’ policy.

You can see important information for residents in high-rise buildings (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service).

Keeping your building safe

Help to keep you and your neighbours safe from fire by:

• keeping common areas, stairways, corridors and drying rooms clear of rubbish, furniture and combustible materials
• report any damage to fire safety measures immediately like lifts, alarm panels and fire doors
• do not prop open doors in common areas as these are fire-resistant and self-closing
• keep bin store and building doors secure to prevent unauthorised entry and reduce fire risk
• do not store or use gas cylinders, flammable liquids or fuels inside the building.

Emergency vehicle parking areas must be kept clear at all times so firefighters have quick access.

Charge scooters safely

Mobility scooters, e-bikes and other electrical transport can pose a serious fire risk.

Charge and store them safely to protect yourself and others:

• keep escape routes clear and reduce the risk of deliberate fires
• store them in a separate room with a smoke detector
• remove the battery when not in use
• do not use modified, damaged or uncertified batteries and chargers
• do not charge when sleeping
• do not store or charge them in common areas, bedrooms or escape routes.

Speak to your concierge or caretaker for advice and help.

Free fire safety checks

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service offer free home fire safety visits.

You can arrange a visit:

• on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website
• phone 0800 0731 999
• text FIRE to 80800 on your mobile phone.

Your local fire station will arrange a time and date that suits you. During the visit, firefighters will check each room of your house with you, helping you make sure your house is safe.

You can get more practical fire safety advice for your home (Fire Scotland).

If you see a fire, call 999 immediately and ask for the fire service.

Smoke alarms

All Scottish homes are legally required  to have an interlinked (connected) heat and smoke alarm system. If you're a council tenant, you'll have compliant smoke alarms installed in your home. 

Interlinked means if one alarm goes off, they all go off, so you will always hear an alarm wherever you are in your home. 

There are interlinked heat and smoke alarms installed in all our council homes.

Your home must have:

• 1 smoke alarm in the living room or the room you use most
• 1 smoke alarm in every hallway or landing
• 1 heat alarm in the kitchen.

If you have a boiler, fire, heater, or flue in any room, you must also have a tamper-proof carbon monoxide detector in the same room.

Check your smoke alarms

You must check that your smoke or heat alarms are working properly. Test the alarm every week by pressing the button located on the face of the alarm. We recommend you test a different alarm each time.

If you have other alarms that are battery operated, you should test them too. 

Most alarms have a test push button as standard. Press the test button for approximately 5 seconds and you should hear the alarm sounds.

If other alarms and detectors at the property are interlinked, they will also sound.

If your alarm isn't working, or it will not stop ringing, phone us on 0300 300 0300 to report it.

Do not disconnect your smoke alarm, even if the noise is irritating.  

Do not apply polystyrene tiles to ceilings and walls. If there's a fire, these can produce dense black smoke and release poisonous gases.

Disposal of old alarms

If one of our contractors is replacing an alarm in your home, they will dispose of the old, broken, or damaged alarm.

Some, but not all, types of alarms can be recycled at household waste recycling centres. Look on the alarm for information or check with the manufacturer.

Find out what you can dispose of at our household waste recycling centres.

Fire safety in your home

If you see a fire, call 999 immediately and ask for the fire service.

Follow these fire safety tips in your home.

Always:

• unplug electrical appliances at night if you're not using them, like chargers which can overheat and ignite causing fire
• do not leave anything with a lithium battery charging overnight, such as mobile phones, mobility scooters or e-bikes - all these devices have lithium batteries
• make sure all discarded cigarette ends have been fully extinguished, empty all ashtrays at night and leave the ashtrays on a flat surface
• place a fireguard in front of coal, gas, or electric fires and remove fabrics or clothes next to the fire
• close all the doors inside your home before you go to bed at night to limit the spread of fire and smoke   
• clean filters in tumble driers regularly to avoid lint build-up which can create a fire risk

Never:

• overload electrical power points - this can lead to sockets and adaptors overheating and creating a source of fire
• leave matches or lighters where children can reach them
• leave fires, heaters, or candles unattended or near fabrics or clothing
• leave cooking appliances unattended on the cooker or in the kitchen
• leave clothes or laundry drying over electric heaters unattended
• interfere with electrical wiring or gas pipework installed in your property, as this may create the risk of fire or gas explosions. 

You can read more information about the law on fire and smoke alarms (Scottish Government).

If you're having problems paying your council rent

If you're struggling to pay your rent, please phone us on 0300 300 0222. 

We can give you advice and support about benefits and other help that may be available. 

We can also discuss a manageable payment plan with you. Debt will not go away on its own, and we can talk with you about how to start repaying even a small amount.

Learn more about help with paying your council rent.

What happens if you do not pay your council rent

You're legally required to pay your council rent. This is part of your tenancy agreement. If you do not pay your rent, we'll have to start the process to recover the unpaid rent and, if it reaches this point, to evict you from your council home.

Here are the stages of the legal process and what you'll need to do at each stage.

Notice of Proceedings for Recovery of Possession (NPRP)

Before we start the court process, we'll send you a 'Notice of Proceedings for Recovery of Possession (NPRP)'.

An NPRP is a legal document. It tells you that we're planning to take you to court so that we can recover the unpaid rent and evict you from your council home.

Please follow the instructions in your NPRP so that you can contact us and make a plan to pay your unpaid rent. If you do this and start paying your rent, we could avoid taking you to court, and you may be able to stay in your council home.

If you do not contact us and make a plan to pay your rent, then we'll move on to the next stage: a court summons.

Court summons

If you received an NPRP but did not contact us to make a plan to pay your unpaid rent, you'll receive a court summons.

A court summons is a document from the court. It tells you when and where you need to attend court.

What to do if you receive a court summons

Do not ignore a court summons or be afraid to ask for help.

There's still time to phone us on 0300 300 0222 and make a plan to pay your unpaid rent. We might be able to avoid taking you to court. But if we do still go to court, you can bring this plan to show the sheriff that you're taking steps to pay your unpaid rent and that you want to stay in your council home.

If possible, pay your unpaid rent before going to court.

If you need advice or help before going to court, you can:

• contact Advice Works by phoning 0300 300 1238 or emailing adviceworks@renfrewshire.gov.uk - Advice Works is our free service that gives advice about money, debt, and benefits to Renfrewshire residents
• contact Citizens Advice Scotland (cas.org.uk website) to get free, impartial, confidential advice
• hire a solicitor.

What happens in court

In court, you'll need to tell the sheriff why you have not paid your rent and why you should not be evicted from your council home.

At the end of the session, the sheriff will either:

• order you to pay your unpaid rent over a period of time, allowing you to stay in your council home - this would be your last chance to pay your debt on a weekly schedule and avoid being evicted from your council home
• grant us a 'decree for recovery of possession' - this is a legal document that allows us to start the process to evict you from your council home
• move the case to another date, which sometimes happens in court.

The court can tell you how to appeal its decision if you do not agree with it.

Sheriff court orders (the decisions that sheriffs make in court) are registered with certain credit reference agencies. This means that it might become more difficult for you to get credit from banks or other finance organisations.

This is another reason to phone us on 0300 300 0222 and make a plan to pay your unpaid rent before we reach the court stage.