Young people have successfully taken part in “Renting Ready” courses in Perth to prepare them for a successful tenancy.

The courses, run by Perth & Kinross Council in partnership with housing charity Crisis, were open to young people in the area who are looking for a tenancy or flat share.

The sessions helped them understand what to look for in a property, their rights and responsibilities as a tenant, and how they can manage their tenancy on a limited budget. It also gave tips on where to find affordable furniture, housekeeping and basic DIY, as well as how to prevent and deal with common problems that can arise when sharing with housemates.

Successful candidates were awarded a Level 1 accredited qualification by Crisis, and they were also offered the chance of flat share accommodation by the council.

Councillor Dave Doogan, convener of housing and health, attended one of the sessions.

He said: “When you’re young, renting a home can be both exciting and a bit scary. These interactive and fun sessions helped local young people to find out what’s involved in renting and flat sharing, and provided them with the necessary skills for maintaining a successful tenancy.

“Successfully maintaining a tenancy is very important for young people. Having a safe and secure place to live makes them happier and healthier, and provides them with a great platform for a successful life. It was great to go along and see the enthusiasm of the people who took part, and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to provide this training in partnership with Crisis, with the chance of flat share accommodation at the end of it.

“We’ll look to build on this and provide further opportunities of this kind for young people looking for rented accommodation in the future.”