Councillor Bob Brawn

We know many council tenants are suffering financially as a result of the pandemic. Now that Perth and Kinross is under Level 1 restrictions a national temporary ban on evictions is no longer in place.

The council has made the offer that any tenant who has built up rent arrears and is talking to the council to deal with the debt will not be at risk of losing their home.

This fits the ethos of the overall Perth and Kinross offer, which will see the council work very closely with people and communities to help everyone live well.

The council has said that it wants to work with tenants who are in arrears or are struggling to pay their rent and bills, to provide them with the right support and assistance.

Through the offer, all staff in the Housing Service will continue to encourage tenants in arrears to engage, so they can reduce their debt through support and affordable repayment plans.

The council and its partners also offer a wide range of practical financial support and advice for tenants who are struggling to pay their rent, and tenants are being urged to take advantage of this help.

Financial support includes:

• Awards from our Tenancy Sustainment Fund
• Assistance through locality ’ Think Yes’ budgets
• Discretionary Housing Payments
• Benefits advice and help from the Welfare Rights Team
• Payments from the Council’s Financial Insecurity Fund
• Free school meals and clothing grants
• Council tax reduction and housing benefit
• The Scottish Child Payment Scheme
• Scottish Welfare Fund crisis grants
• Tailored advice and support from our Housing Support Officers

Councillor Bob Brawn, convener of housing and communities, said: “We have worked closely with tenants throughout the pandemic and we know that many of them have suffered a significant financial impact.

“Redundancy, furlough and loss of income have affected a lot of people and we want them to know that the Council is here to help. Anyone who is struggling should contact us to take advantage of the wide range of support on offer.

“The temporary national ban on evictions that existed through the pandemic is no longer in place, but I can reassure tenants who are in arrears that their home will never be at risk if they are speaking to us about what we can do to help.”

He added: “This Offer provides a commitment to our tenants that as a Housing Service we will act compassionately when they are facing financial hardship and only pursue legal action as a last resort. Legal action will only be taken when a tenant fails to co-operate with us, despite our best efforts, or where it is urgently needed in cases of serious anti-social behaviour that impacts on neighbours.

“I would urge anyone who needs help to come forward. Taking the first step to ask for help is usually the hardest, but our staff will not judge anyone and are here to do their very best for our tenants. We never want to see anyone lose their home.”