FOI Request - Unusable Homes

Request 101003650101

1.  Please could you provide the number of residential properties that your authority is currently responsible for?

2.  Please could you also provide the number of these homes which are currently considered unusable or are considered unfit for habitation (or the equivalent term used by your authority) as they do not meet The Tolerable Standard under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987?

3.  Can you also provide the number of these homes which currently have tenants living in them?

The Tolerable Standard as defined in the act can be found here:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1987/26/part/IV/crossheading/the-tolerable-standard

Response 01-11-2024

1. As at 08/10/2024, there are 6382 residential properties that Moray Council currently own and utilise as social housing.

2. 

We currently do not have any unoccupied properties that are not available for let due to being unfit for habitation as they do not meet the Tolerable Standards.  There are a small number of properties that would be unfit for habitation at this precise time, as they are undergoing works in preparation for letting out again through normal operations.

In terms of meeting the Tolerable Standards set in the Act.  The matter is not straightforward.  Moray Council is a Social Registered Landlord and as such must strive to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS).  This includes elements linked to the Tolerable Standards put exceeds a bare minimum standard that would be expected in the private sector.

As of 31 March 2024, 1,444 out of 6,380 properties (22.6%) meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS). The primary reason being we are progressing to meet a new and more stringent standard of electrical safety and energy efficiency.  However, this does not mean our properties that have not achieved a pass are unfit for habitation or unusable.

If a property were unfit or unusable, for example through fire or flood, we would decant those effected tenants into suitable alternative accommodation.

3. In reference to question 1, 3027 properties are currently occupied.