Housing

What to do when you want to end your council tenancy

You need to give us 28 days' notice if you want to move out of your council home and stop being a council tenant (end your council tenancy).

To start the process, phone us on 0300 300 0222 or email your local neighbourhood services office:

• Johnstone: johnstone.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• Paisley: paisley.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• Renfrew: renfrew.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Once you contact us, we'll ask you to confirm your notice in writing.

If you do not give us 28 days' notice in writing, we'll charge you 4 weeks of rent from the date you return the keys to us.

Moving out of your council home

Make sure you've paid your rent

'Rent arrears' refers to any unpaid rent that you owe us.

Moving out with rent arrears may:

• make it harder for you to get another council home in the future
• have a negative effect on your credit rating.

We'll also have to mention your rent arrears on any reference requests we get from your future landlords.

To make sure you move out of your council home without rent arrears:

• find out how to get help with paying your council rent
• pay your rent arrears.

If you want to postpone your moving date

If you need to postpone your moving date and are already in your notice period, contact us as soon as you can so we can arrange a later date to end your tenancy.

Returning your keys to us

You'll need to return your keys to us at the time and place we've agreed with you. If you do not return your keys on time, you'll have to pay extra rent.

If you receive Housing Benefit and you're moving from one Renfrewshire Council home to another, your Housing Benefit cannot be paid for 2 homes at the same time unless there are special circumstances. Return your keys on time to make sure your Housing Benefit will be paid for the correct home.

Leaving the home in good condition

We expect you to leave the home in a good condition. We may charge you if:

• there's damage to the home
• you leave things behind that we need to remove
• you made any unapproved changes to the home that we must reverse.

We'll only charge you for unapproved changes, not approved ones.

If you made approved improvements to the home, you may be entitled to compensation once you move out. To get this, you must have:

• had our written permission to make the improvements before you started the work
• kept any bills related to the improvements you made.

You'll need to email us at repairsandinvestment.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk during your notice period if you'd like to ask for compensation.

Very sheltered housing provides support for older people who are less able to look after themselves.

This type of housing enables residents to live as independently as they can in their own flat, but with staff available to provide support 24 hours a day.

Very sheltered housing is usually made up of a group of flats in a small building complex.

There are currently 5 very sheltered housing complexes in Renfrewshire. Very sheltered housing in the area is provided by Hanover Scotland Housing Association and not by the council.

Each complex has a designated service manager and staff who go between complexes during the day to provide care and support for residents. Residents can also call for support during the day and at night through a technology enabled care alarm system that is installed in their property.

Most properties have a living room, one bedroom, a shower or wet room, and a kitchenette so residents can prepare light meals and snacks.

Many complexes have shared facilities and services such as a lounge, dining area and garden.

Very sheltered housing offers residents similar support to sheltered housing, including:

• emergency response
• alarm system checks
• encouragement and support to take part in social activities
• ensuring all personal information is confidential and is only shared with others you have agreed to
• general assistance, including supporting you to arrange minor repairs, and help to fill in forms or contact other services.

You can receive enhanced housing support through very sheltered housing, including:

• 2 meal services a day
• general counselling and support, including a regular check on your general health and welfare
• advice on the availability of more specialised support and care, if required
• help to meet with professionals and people with an interest in your welfare, such as doctors and relatives
• reminders about appointments
• help with the safety and security of your home, including reminders about locking doors, and advice about fire safety and the safe use of domestic appliances.

If you need help with more personal care support, such as getting out of bed, getting dressed or making food, you can ask for a care assessment through the Adult Services Referral Team (ASeRT) at Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership by phoning 0300 300 1380.

Personal care services can be delivered at a very sheltered housing complex by a registered third-party care at home provider following an assessment of your needs.

Alternatively, you could get a type of housing called extra care housing, where personal care support is included in the service.

Very sheltered housing is available for people aged 60 or over and have a housing support need. It's also available for people aged 55 and over who have a disability.

Priority will be given to those most in need of accommodation and support services, such as those who are unable to live in their existing home or may need long term care.

Hanover Scotland Housing Association currently manage 5 very sheltered housing complexes in Renfrewshire at:

• Ailsa Court, Paisley - Hanover Scotland
• Montgomery Court, Paisley - Hanover Scotland
• Newton Court, Paisley - Hanover Scotland
• Orchard Court, Renfrew - Hanover Scotland
• Walkinshaw Court, Johnstone - Hanover Scotland.

Very sheltered housing services are inspected by the Care Inspectorate Scotland. You can view the latest inspection reports on the Care Inspectorate Scotland website. 

You should visit the complexes managed by Hanover Scotland Housing Association before you apply to help you decide which one is best for you.

Applications for very sheltered housing in Renfrewshire are handled by Hanover Scotland Housing Association.

If you want to apply for very sheltered housing, you'll need to do this through the Hanover Scotland Housing Association application process.

When you make an application with Hanover Scotland Housing Association, they'll ask for a social work assessment to fully understand your needs.

The housing association will then get in touch to let you know your place on the waiting list.

For more information on very sheltered housing in Renfrewshire, you should contact Hanover Scotland Housing Association directly by:

• phone: 0800 111 4646
• email: hello@hanover.scot

All very sheltered housing properties are rented.

The cost to rent a property depends on the size and location of the very sheltered housing complex. This is set by Hanover Scotland Housing Association

As well as rent, there will also be a service charge at each location.

Sheltered housing is designed to meet the needs of older people.

These properties offer you the independence of having your own home, with the safety of having an alarm system and sheltered housing officer service.

Sheltered housing is usually made up of a group of flats in a small building complex.

We provide 10 sheltered housing complexes in Renfrewshire. There are also 10 complexes provided by housing associations.

Our sheltered housing flats are accessible for people with mobility problems and include:

• safe bathrooms with doors which can be opened from the outside in an emergency
• lowered light switches and raised sockets to make them easier to use
• controlled entry and an emergency call system.

Our sheltered housing officers look after the complexes and make sure the residents are safe and well.

We provide the sheltered housing officer service 7 days a week, from 8am to 2pm. Officers work at more than one complex and will spend part of the day at each one.

If a sheltered housing officer is not at a complex, you can contact them during these hours through the emergency call system.

Each complex has a shared lounge where social activities take place, including events by local organisations and groups.

Many of our complexes have extra facilities, including a laundry room, garden, and a guest flat.

Guest flats are for visiting relatives or friends, and you should book these in advance. There is a small charge per night for the guest room.

What our sheltered housing officers can do

Our sheltered housing officers can:

• respond to emergencies
• carry out morning checks to make sure you are well
• make sure the emergency alarm system is always working
• encourage and support you to take part in social activities
• make sure all personal information is confidential and is only shared with others you have agreed to
• provide general assistance, including supporting you to arrange minor repairs, and help to fill in forms or contact other services.

What our sheltered housing officers cannot do

Our sheltered housing cannot:

• help with medication
• do your shopping for you
• assist or prepare meals or snacks
• carry out financial transactions for you or look after your financial affairs
• help you to get washed or dressed.

If you need additional housing support, you could get:

• a type of housing called very sheltered housing
• a type of housing called extra care housing, for more personal care support
• a place in a care home
• housing support at home.

You can contact the Adult Services Referral Team (ASeRT) at Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership by phoning 0300 300 1380 to discuss what services may be available.

Sheltered housing is available for people aged 60 or over who have a housing support need.

We have 10 sheltered housing complexes across Renfrewshire. Each complex contains between 14 and 42 self-contained homes, which include a kitchen, bathroom, private toilet and living area.

Our complexes are:

• Altpatrick Gardens, Paisley
• Houston Court, Johnstone
• The Oaks Complex, Johnstone
• Darkwood Court, Paisley
• Gallacher Court, Paisley
• Rowan Gardens, Paisley
• Speirsfield Gardens, Paisley
• Springbank Complex, Paisley
• Fulbar Court, Renfrew
• Monkdyke House, Renfrew.

Sheltered housing services are inspected by the Care Inspectorate Scotland. You can view the latest inspection reports on the Care Inspectorate Scotland website. 

Before you start, you'll need to register for MyAccount through mygov.scot. If you've already registered, you do not need to do it again. 

You must have a current application for housing with us before you can be considered for a property in our sheltered housing complexes.

If you do not have a current application for housing with us, you can complete our housing options application form online.

You do not have to finish the form all at once. You can save your progress and come back to it later.

If you would like to speak to someone about sheltered housing at one of our complexes, phone our housing advice service on 0300 300 0222 and select option 2.

To apply for sheltered housing provided by a housing association, you should contact the provider directly.

We'll pass your application to our assessment panel, who will send a letter to let you know their decision.

A number of housing associations in Renfrewshire also provide sheltered housing. These are:

• Bridgewater Housing Association
• Hanover Scotland Housing Association
• Linstone Housing Association.

Some housing associations also provide the option of retirement housing. This is like sheltered housing, but with no onsite staff.

Housing associations in Renfrewshire that provide retirement housing are:

• Bield Housing Association
• Cairn Housing Association
• Link Housing Association.

Applications for housing at these locations are handled by the individual housing associations.

You should visit the complexes before you apply to help you decide which one is best for you.

If you want to apply for housing at one of these locations, you'll need to contact the housing association directly.

More information

For more information about locations and types of sheltered housing provided in Renfrewshire, contact our housing advice service by:

• phone: 0300 300 0222
• email: housingadvice.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk

All sheltered housing properties are rented. You cannot buy your sheltered housing property.

How you pay for sheltered housing will depend on your income or how much money you have saved.

You could get benefits to help pay your rent, such as Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.

By moving into sheltered housing, you are also agreeing to use our sheltered housing officer service.

In addition to your rent, the sheltered housing officer service costs up to £14.29 per week, but many residents pay much less than this.

The Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership will carry out an assessment of your income to calculate how much, if anything, you may have to pay.

Council tenants have a right for certain repairs to be done under the Right to Repair scheme. 

The scheme covers certain repairs that cost less than £350 and aim to be done in a certain timescale. These are called 'qualifying' repairs.

When you report a housing repair, we’ll tell you

• if it’s the council's responsibility to repair it
• if it qualifies under the Right to repair scheme
• how long it should take
• what your rights under the Right to Repair scheme, including the process for using an alternative contractor.

We’ll then arrange an appointment with you to do the repair.

The RIght to Repair Scheme only applies to council tenants.

The times below show the maximum number of working days from the day after you report a qualifying repair or inspection. 

It does not include weekends or public holidays.

Emergency repairs done or inspected within 1 day

This includes:

• blocked chimney flue to an open fire or boiler
• blocked, leaking, or smelly drains; external waste pipes; or the toilet bowl if this is the only toilet in your house
• blocked sink; bath; or drain
• loss of electric power
• insecure external window; door; or lock
• unsafe access path or step
• significant leaks or flooding from water or heating pipes; tanks; or cisterns
• loss or partial loss of gas supply 
  loss or partial loss of water heating, or heating from appliances for specific areas, where there are not any other ways to heat your home
• the toilet will not flush and there’s no other toilet in the house
• unsafe power of lighting socket or electrical fitting
• loss of water supply.

Urgent repairs done or inspected within 3 working days

This includes:

• partial loss of electric power
• partial loss of water supply
• loose or detached banister or handrail
• unsafe  timber flooring or the steps on your staircase.

Routine repairs done within 7 working days

This includes the repair or replacement of a mechanical extractor fan in internal kitchen or bathroom.

Most other routine repairs are done within 15 days of you reporting it to us, but it will depend on what the issue is.

What the Right to Repair Scheme does not include

The Right to Repair scheme does not cover all repairs.

It does not apply when:

• the defect or damage has been caused by a breach of your tenancy conditions, such as deliberate damage
• the repair is delayed for other reasons, like needing to order spare parts or we need another contractor for the job
• the repair is not the council's responsibility
• the repair belongs to the shared parts of a building
• the repair will cost more than £350. 

See what repairs and maintenance we do and what are your responsibilities as a council tenant.

In most cases, our building services will do the repair. 

If we need to order parts or materials for the repair, it may not be done within the standard time. If this is the case, we’ll let you know when it should be finished.

Repair times may also vary if the weather is bad. For safety reasons, we cannot go onto a roof in the dark, during high winds, or when it is raining. 

If a repair is delayed because of bad weather, we will let you know when it will be done.

If we do not start the repair within the set timescale, you have the right to arrange an alternative contractor from our approved list of contractors to carry out the repair. You cannot use a contractor who is not on the Council’s approved list.

If we do not do the repair within the qualifying time, you have the right to ask our backup contractor CGC to do the repair.

Their contact details are:
CGC
Unit 3, Imperial Park
West Avenue Inwood
PA1 2FB
0141 561 6500

Report a housing repair

You can also report a housing repair by:

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

If for any reason you are not satisfied with the service you have received, you can let us know by 

• reporting it online
• phone 0300 300 0300
• email repairs@renfrewshire.gov.uk  

We can normally solve problems quickly and easily at this stage.

However, if you are still unhappy with our service, you can make a formal complaint to us.

We will investigate your complaint and, where appropriate, correct the problem and and let you know the outcome.

If we do not carry out the repair within the set timescale, you may be entitled to compensation.

If we fail to carry out a qualifying repair within the maximum time allowed, you will be entitled to £15 compensation. 

You will then be entitled to a further £3 per day for every day the repair remains outstanding, up to a maximum of £100.

Any payment will be made automatically. You do not need to make a claim.

You can find out more about the Right to Repair scheme on the Scottish Government website.

If they need a temporary place to stay tonight

Phone us on 0800 121 4466 if you're aware of someone who needs a temporary place to stay tonight.

If they need a permanent home

If you know someone who is homeless or could become homeless, and they need support to move into a permanent home, encourage them to contact us.

One of our housing options advisers will talk to them and help them start the process of finding a place to live.

They can phone us on 0300 300 1203.

You can also phone us on their behalf.

Find out more about:

• help for people who are homeless or could become homeless
• support available to avoid becoming homeless.

Other organisations that may be able to help

These other organisations may be able to help by providing free food:

What to do if you're homeless or could become homeless

If you're under 25 years old, we can help if you're homeless or if you're worried you could become homeless.

A youth housing adviser will talk to you, find out more about your situation, and go over your housing options.

Phone us on 0300 300 1203 to get started.

Find out how we can help if you're 25 or older.

Support available

Once you phone us, we'll go through a 'housing options interview' with you to see if we can help you avoid becoming homeless and find a positive route into housing.

If we're not able to prevent you from becoming homeless, we'll provide you with emergency accommodation and offer you support to help you in your journey out of homelessness.

If you have a difficult relationship with your family

We work with young people and their families to rebuild relationships.

We can help:

• if you're still living in your family's home and need support to avoid having to leave
• if you're currently homeless, need a temporary place to stay, and would like to rebuild your relationship with your family.

If you need support to keep your current home

We can work with young people and provide resettlement assistance or housing support which will offer practical guidance to help you:

• set up your home
• keep your tenancy.

If you were in care

If you were in care, we'll help you apply for council housing and ask for an assessment of a higher priority because of your care background. This will help you avoid needing to make a homeless application.

Other support available

If you're not sure if we can help or not, phone us on 0300 300 1203 anyway and tell us about your situation. We'll talk through your options with you.

How we can help

We can get you a temporary place to stay tonight if you:

• are worried about sleeping rough tonight
• are not safe in your current home and do not have anywhere else to go.

The type of temporary housing we'll offer you will depend on your situation and what places we have available right now.

What you need to do

Phone us on 0800 121 4466.

This number is free to call, day or night.

You'll speak to someone from the council who will ask about your situation and offer you an emergency place to stay.

This phone number is for people in an emergency situation who need a temporary place to stay tonight. We have other information and help available if you're homeless or could become homeless within the next 56 days.

If you're homeless now or will become homeless in the next 8 weeks

How we can help

Tell us if you're homeless or if you could become homeless in the next 8 weeks (the next 56 days).

A housing options adviser will talk to you and find out more about your situation. They'll discuss your housing options with you. If you need housing support, they'll refer you to our housing support team.

The housing support team will help you:

• while you're still homeless
• settle into a new, permanent home
• avoid becoming homeless again.

Who we can help

We can help if you're homeless or if you think you'll become homeless in the next 8 weeks. This could include if:

• you've been living with friends or family, and they've asked you to leave
• you're at risk of violence from someone you live with or used to live with
• your landlord evicted you, and you have nowhere to stay
• your current home is unsafe or unsuitable for you to continue living in, and staying there would put you in danger
• you do not have a home or any place to stay right now.

How to apply for help

Phone us on 0300 300 1203.

A housing options adviser will talk to you and explain the next steps.

You can let us know if you'd prefer a male or female adviser.

This phone number is to start the homeless application process. We have other information and help available if you're worried about sleeping rough or need a temporary place to stay tonight.

After you apply

Once we've talked to you, we'll be able to find out if you:

• are homeless or may become homeless in the next 8 weeks
• deliberately did something, or failed to do something, which resulted in you losing your home
• have some local connection to Renfrewshire.

To help us make a decision on these 3 points, we may need to contact people you know, such as:

• your previous landlord
• friends or family who have asked you to leave their home
• other agencies that may have information related to your situation.

We will not contact anyone that would put you at risk.

Once we've determined that you are homeless or may become homeless in the next 8 weeks, we'll work with you to find you a permanent home.

We aim to reach our decision on your homeless situation within 28 days. We'll let you know if that's not enough time to collect all the information we need.

If you need it, we can provide you with a temporary home during the time it takes to find you a permanent home.

If you're worried you could become homeless later on (more than 8 weeks from now)

How we can help

We can help or give advice if you're:

• struggling to pay your rent
• struggling to pay your mortgage
• worried that your landlord is going to evict you before you can find another home
• worried that your home is going to be repossessed before you can find another home
• in prison or jail and will become homeless once you're released.

We'll be able to give you advice on:

• how to find somewhere to live
• understanding the court process for eviction or repossession
• specialist legal or debt advice
• accessing housing support services.
• accessing other agencies that can assist you with benefits advice, employability, and other issues that can help resolve your homeless situation.

Phone us on 0300 300 1203.

If you'd prefer to speak to someone face to face, phone us first, and we'll arrange an in-person appoint for you in our office at:

15 Abercorn Street
Paisley
PA3 4AA.

If your landlord or mortgage provider is planning to evict you or repossess your home

If you rent your home from a private landlord or housing association, they have a legal duty to tell us if they're taking you to court to evict you from your home.

If you're a homeowner with a mortgage, your mortgage provider has a legal duty to tell us if they're planning to repossess your home.

Once we receive this notice from your landlord or mortgage provider, we'll contact you to talk about your situation and how we can help.

Read more about benefits and money if you're struggling to pay your rent or mortgage.

If you're currently in prison or jail

If you're in prison (long-term)

If you're currently serving a prison sentence and will become homeless once you're released, ask for a housing appointment through your prison link centre.

Once you've done this, our new start officer will contact you and talk through your options.

If you're in jail (short-term)

If you're temporarily in jail, you should stay in touch with your landlord and try to maintain your tenancy so you can return home once you're released.

Phone us on 0300 300 1203 if you think you'll become homeless once you're released.

If you have a family member in prison and they need support

If you have a family member in prison and you're worried they'll become homeless once they're released, there are various organisations that you can contact for advice:

• housing associations in Renfrewshire
• Scottish Prison Service (SPS website).

We can help you if you're:

• homeless now or will become homeless in the next 8 weeks
• worried you could become homeless later on (more than 8 weeks from now).