Albyn Housing Society has received three shortlist nominations for the CIH Scotland Excellence Awards as its subsidiary scooped a Herald Property Award for its work to bring affordable, quality property services to Highland communities.

The housing society has been shortlisted in the Housing Team of the Year, Excellence in Housing Innovation and the Bob Allan Young Achiever in Housing Award categories.

The CIH awards are in their eleventh year and aim to celebrate the passion and commitment of the sector’s unsung heroes as well as exemplary housing projects, best practice and innovative ways of working.

Calum Macaulay, chief executive at Albyn Housing Society, said: “It’s a real honour to be shortlisted for not one or two, but three awards at the CIH awards ceremony. These nominations represent the dedication, commitment and ambition of each and every individual at Albyn and their ongoing drive towards to support sustainable tenancies and thriving communities across the region.

“Albyn has undergone a notable transformation in recent years and I think our shortlisting really signals the success of this. Our teams clearly puts tenants and tenant satisfaction at the forefront of our business. Their commitment has enabled the implementation of many innovative initiatives such as zero day voids, mid-market rent, choice-based lettings and the FitHomes project, which all help to improve services and enhance the long term sustainability of our organisations.

“I’d like to wish everyone the best of luck at the final in November.”

The housing society will have to wait until November 2 to find out if it has been successful in securing a trophy at the CIH ceremony in EICC, Edinburgh.

Meanwhile its Highland Residential Ltd subsidiary has been named the Herald Property Awards’ Residential Sales Team of the Year.

Established just 18 months ago, the business provides factoring services, mid-market rented homes and affordable housing sales, including the delivery of the Scottish Government’s Help to Buy programme in the Highlands. In this short time, it has grown from seven to twelve employees, and now holds around five per cent of the Highland estate agency market.

Launched in 2007, the Herald Property Awards honour the achievements of Scotland’s most innovative and successful house builders, developers and registered social landlords.

Speaking of the award win, Sam Crib, business development manager at Highland Residential, said: “Highland Residential is a fledgling company. We operate with a social purpose. We developed our business from the insights we’ve gained from our involvement in the affordable and shared equity housing market. We have tailored our unique business model to ensure that we can provide a quality and affordable position to all homeowners in the Highlands.

“We are thrilled to be recognised for our achievements over this past 18 months. Our business success has come from the passion and hard work of our property team and I would like to take the opportunity to thank them. This award is for them.”

The team collected its award on September 27 at the ceremony hosted by the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Glasgow.