Common Allocations Policy March 2021 CLIENT

Perth and Kinross
Common Allocations Policy

April 2019
Contents Summary of Proposed Changes
Summary of Proposed Changes 3 The following proposed changes and benefits of the revised Perth and Kinross Common
Allocations policy are summarised below.
1 Introduction 4
The revised policy:
2 Our Aim, Objectives and Principles 6 • is compliant with current legislation and good practice;
3 Applying for Housing 7 • maintains the flexibility in allocating 2-bedroom housing therefore reducing the extreme
pressure on demand for 1-bedroom housing;
4 Your Application 8 • further reduces the length of time homeless applicants wait for permanent housing in line
with Home First;
5 Types of Housing and Areas Where You Want to Live 10
• targets those in urgent need of housing in a fair and more consistent way avoiding the
6 Assessing Your Housing Need - Our Group Plus Points System 13 need for them to apply as homeless or leaving them in an at-risk situation;
• removes inconsistencies between the way housing is allocated and the way applications
7 Offering You a Home 19 are assessed;
8 Tenancies 20 • is responsive to meeting the housing needs of our own tenants;
• enhances the use of vacancy chains and makes better use of our housing stock;
9 Reviewing, Removal, Deferral, Suspension and Merging of Applications 22
• maximises housing opportunities for applicants by removing the need to have a limited
10 Other Allocations Issues and Information 25 number of areas selected on their application;
• provides a policy which is easier to understand ensuring fair and transparent access.
11 Appeals and Complaints 28
12 Managing the CHR and the Common Allocations Policy 30
13 Quality Assurance and Performance Management 31
Appendix 1: Group Plus Points System 33
Appendix 2: Contact Details 39
2 Perth and Kinross Common Allocations Policy | April 2019 Perth and Kinross Common Allocations Policy | April 2019 3
1 Introduction
Background 1.1 There are not enough affordable homes • Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) • Outcome 10: People looking for housing
in Perth and Kinross to help everyone who (Scotland) Act 1981 find it easy to apply for the widest
The Perth and Kinross Common Housing applies for housing. We therefore want to choice of social housing available and
Allocations Policy (‘the CAP’) has been • Children Scotland Act 1995
make sure that the CAP allows us to assess get the information they need on how
developed as part of the Perth and Kinross the needs of each applicant and to allocate • Civil Partnership Act 2004 the landlord allocates homes and their
Common Housing Register (‘the CHR’). homes in a fair and consistent way, so that prospects of being housed.
available homes are let to those in the • Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The CHR is a computer-based single • Outcome 12: Homeless people get
greatest need of housing. • Protection from Harassment Act 1997
waiting list which three local social housing prompt and easy access to help and
organisations use to register applicants for We also want to make sure that if you • Management of Offenders etc advice; are provided with suitable,
housing. It’s designed to make it easier and apply for housing you can access advice (Scotland) Act 2005 good-quality temporary or emergency
quicker for you to apply for housing by filling and information on all the housing options accommodation when this is needed;
in one application form. Each CHR landlord • Equality Act 2010 and are offered continuing support to
available to you, so that you can make
will use this form. informed choices and maximise your • Adult Support and Protection help them get and keep the home they
opportunities of finding the right home. (Scotland) Act 2007 are entitled to.
The CAP has been developed by five local
social landlords working in Perth and Kinross. We will make this policy available to you in
They are: other languages or formats, such as large The Scottish Social Housing 1.3
• Perth & Kinross Council (the Council) print and Braille and also publish it on our Charter
websites. Refer to Appendix 2 for further
• Caledonia Housing Association (CHA) details. The Scottish Housing Regulator uses
outcomes and standards set out in the
• Hillcrest Homes
Scottish Social Housing Charter (SSHC) to
Acting Within The Law 1.2 assess the performance of social landlords.
• Fairfield Housing Association
We have developed this policy using the To allow the CAP to meet the required
• Kingdom Housing Association outcomes and standards we have developed
good practice available from the Scottish
Government, the Scottish Housing Regulator, our policy to ensure:
These five social housing landlords are
referred to as ‘we’ or ‘the partner landlords’ the Scottish Federation of Housing • Outcome 1: Every tenant and other
in this document. The CAP tells you: Associations and the Chartered Institute of customer has their individual needs
Housing. This means our policy is fair and recognised, is treated fairly and with
• how to apply for housing with any of gives reasonable preference to applicants respect, and receives fair access to
the above partner landlords; in housing need. This policy complies with, housing and Housing Services.
• how we will assess your application and takes account of, the following housing
based on your housing need; legislation: • Outcome 2: Tenants and other
customers find it easy to communicate
• how we allocate available homes to • Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 with their landlord and get the
meet the needs of housing applicants • Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 information they need about their
on the CHR. landlord, how and why it makes
• Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 decisions and the services it provides.
We use a group plus points system to • Housing (Scotland) Act 2010
allocate houses. This means we will place you • Outcome 7: People looking for housing
in a group which reflects your housing need • Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 get information that helps them make
and award points within your group to reflect informed choices and decisions about
• Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003 the range of housing options available
the degree of your housing need.
to them.
We have developed the CAP following We also protect your rights by meeting
consultation with housing applicants, the legal requirements set out in other • Outcome 8: Tenants and people on
legislation, including: housing lists can review their housing
tenants, and other stakeholders, including
options.
other Council services and NHS Tayside. • Human Rights Act 1998
The CAP is designed to meet the legal and • Outcome 9: People at risk of losing
regulatory standards that guide how the • General Data Protection Regulations their homes get advice on preventing
partners in the CHR should work. (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act homelessness.
2018
2 Our Aim, Objectives and Principles 3 Applying for Housing
Our Aim 2.1 successfully by working in partnership Who Can Apply for Housing? 3.1 circumstances, as well as your preferences
with agencies such as NHS, Social Work about where you would like to live and the
Our Aim is to meet housing need fairly and Services and other support providers; Anyone 16 years and over can apply type of property you would like to live in.
help secure accommodation for households for housing unless they are subject to
in the greatest housing need. • making best use of housing that immigration control. Staff from each partner will be available
becomes available for rent; to provide assistance with completing
Everyone applying for housing is included your application form if you ask for help.
Our Objectives 2.2 • working to create communities where on the housing waiting list. However your Information and advice which recognises
people want to live.
We will meet our aims by: application will not go live, which means your individual needs will also be available
you will not be considered for housing, until to help you make informed choices that
• responding quickly to people in acute Our Principles 2.3 you have provided all of the information we maximise your opportunities for housing.
and urgent housing need; require such as proof of identification, birth
Our policy is based on six key principles. We certificates etc. Where your application is In line with our commitment to make
• giving the right priority to people will: services easily and equally accessible to all
who are in most need of housing; this placed on the list depends on your housing
need. However, please remember if you housing applicants, we can also provide an
includes specific groups identified 1 apply our policy consistently: this
apply for housing this does not mean we will interpretation service if you are hearing or
in legislation to whom we must give means we will apply our policy to every
definitely offer you housing. More people visually impaired or if your first language is
‘reasonable preference’, namely: applicant and property we allocate,
apply for housing under the CAP than the not English.
wherever that property is, whoever the
• people who are homeless or applicant is, and whoever allocates it or number of homes we have available to let.
In order to assess an application properly, it
threatened with homelessness processes the application; Before you apply for housing we will invite is important for us to have accurate and up-
(including those at risk of
2 be clear about what we do and when you to use our Housing Options Self- to-date information on your circumstances.
harassment and abuse);
we will do things. We will be clear about Assessment (HOSA). We will also offer you You must keep your application up-to-date
• people who are living in how we do things and will explain why an enhanced housing options interview to by notifying us of any change as soon as it
unsatisfactory housing conditions we do things wherever we can; discuss your housing options with one of our occurs.
with unmet housing needs; trained advisors.
3 be open and honest with you and talk If you deliberately provide false or misleading
• social housing tenants who are clearly and directly about your housing At an enhanced housing options interview, a information you will be suspended from
under-occupying their home; options. We will be clear about what we range of solutions will be discussed, tailored the CHR. Any offers of housing that have
(Persons have unmet housing needs can and cannot do to help you; to your individual needs, to help prevent been made will be withdrawn. If a tenancy
where the social landlord considers the homelessness or promote successful tenancy is granted on the basis of false information,
4 follow what the law and guidance says sustainment including: partners could take action to end the
persons have housing needs which are we must do and what the law allows us
not capable of being met by housing tenancy.
to do. Wherever we can, we will follow • practical assistance or intervention to
options available); what guidance recommends we should delay the urgent need to leave home, You can apply on your own, jointly with a
• preventing and responding to do; such as negotiating with landlords, partner or jointly with anyone else who will
homelessness by being proactive parents or mediation; be living with you. However, we cannot allow
5 respect diversity and promote equality you and two or more applicants who are
through providing appropriate advice in everything we do. No one will be • practical assistance or intervention to
and assistance or suitable housing unrelated to you to rent a property under
treated unfairly because of race, colour, enable you to remain at home such as
within a reasonable timescale; this policy because this creates a House
ethnic or national origin, language, providing housing support, assistance
in Multiple Occupation (HMO) which are
• providing a housing options approach religion, belief, age, gender, sexual with budgeting or debt advice;
governed by separate regulations.
to meet the person’s needs, which orientation, marital status, family
• intervention or referral to secure
involves taking early action if their home circumstances, employment status, Our Housing Options Team will manage your
alternative accommodation through
is at risk, encouraging them to make physical ability or mental health; application and you can call them on the
exploring various housing types such
informed and realistic decisions on their phone or visit in person at Pullar House,
6 use all the information we receive about as private sector, low-cost home
options and assessing and meeting 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth or any Locality Area
you and everyone you apply with in line ownership and/or social housing.
any support needs they may have, in Office to discuss your application.
with the law and hold that information
partnership with other agencies; securely. If social housing is the right option for you, You can also talk to our staff at any of the
• providing support to those who need we will support you to fill out a housing partners’ offices.
help to find and keep a home by helping application form to become registered on the
them to access the help and support Common Housing Register (CHR). The contact details for each partner can be
they need to find a property and to live found in Appendix 2.
By completing an application we can gather
in their new home independently and information on your personal and housing
4 Your Application
Assessing Your Application 4.1 • You and/or your family’s income • your landlord has taken any formal
(including any benefits you receive). action against you to end your tenancy.
We aim to complete our assessment of
your application within 20 working days of • Your age, as long as you’re over 16, We may suspend your application if we
receiving it as long as you’ve provided all the and the home you want has not been receive an unsatisfactory reference; refer
information we need. We will write to tell you designed or adapted as older persons to Section 9 for more details on suspending
which group you have been placed in and the housing. your application.
points, if any, we have awarded you. • If you are legally separated or
If you refuse us permission to get references
divorced.
We will assess your application using the we won’t make you an offer of housing until
criteria set out in our group plus points • Who you live with at the time you we receive a satisfactory reference, but your
system based on your current circumstances apply for housing. application will not be suspended.
and any additional needs you may have,
including information provided on your behalf Factors that are taken into consideration Home Visits 4.4
by other organisations and agencies. when applying for housing
We may need to arrange a home visit to
We use a group plus points system to assess your application if:
• You owe a landlord more than one-
allocate houses. This means we will place you
twelfth of the annual rent, and you
in a group which reflects your housing need • you are housebound or otherwise
have not agreed to repay what you
and award points within your group to reflect vulnerable;
owe and haven’t made at least three
the degree of your housing need.
monthly payments towards the money • we need to confirm your circumstances
If required, we may request additional you owe when you said you would pay. as we are unable to do this from your
information from you to assess your application.
• You need to get support from, or give
application. support to, a family member or carer to
If you don’t give us all the information we help you or a member of your family or Proving Your Identity 4.5
need, this may delay your application. carer to live independently.
You will need to provide us with proof of your
• You have a social or medical reason to identity in the name you have applied in. We
What We Do and Don’t Take 4.2 move to Perth and Kinross. will accept your birth certificate, passport or
Into Account When Assessing • Whether you or anyone that will live National Insurance card. We also need two
forms of proof showing your current address
Your Application with you owns any property which you
as your permanent and principal home. This
are entitled/able to live in.
When assessing your application for housing may include, but is not limited to:
we will and will not take the following factors • You are being harassed or abused
where you live. • official letters/bills/statements from
into consideration. a local authority, public agency or
private utility (gas, electric, telephone),
Factors that are not taken into Making Enquiries and 4.3 government department, private sector
consideration when applying for housing
References lease, bank or building society;
• Whether you live in Perth and Kinross We make enquiries about your application • current passport or photographic
and how long you have lived there. when we receive it but the enquiry we make driving licence;
• Any debts that are not related to your will depend on where you’re living at the time • National Health card.
current or former tenancy (Council or you apply and where you’ve lived for the
registered social landlord tenancies). three years before you applied.
• Any debts you have already repaid. We will ask your landlord for a reference if
you’ve been a tenant at any time in the past
• Debts related to your tenancy if they
three years to find out if:
are less than one-twelfth of the yearly
amount of rent you pay; or you have • you owe any money;
already arranged a repayment plan
• you have acted in an anti-social
and have kept it for at least three
manner;
months and you are still keeping to it.
5 Types of Housing and Areas Where
You Want to Live
Applicants Choice 5.1 House Size 5.2 We will make common sense exceptions Housing Type 5.3
to these rules, depending on individual
When you make an application for housing (Number of Bedrooms) The main type of housing provided by the
circumstances.
you will be able to choose: We will register your application on the three partners is general needs housing.
For example: However, we also provide housing with
• the CHR partner(s) that you would housing list according to the type and size
of property that you require. This helps us • if you require an additional bedroom support and housing with particular design
prefer to be your landlord(s);
to make sure that each property is let to an on medical grounds; features such as:
• the areas that you would most like to applicant that will make the best use of the
live in; • if you provide foster care, or have been • Very Sheltered Housing
stock that becomes available. This type of housing is designed to
pre-approved to provide foster care or
• the property types that you would meet the needs of people who are
We will work out the number of bedrooms to adopt children we will provide one
most like to live in. aged 60 or over who require support
that you require using the following criteria, additional bedroom;
based on who will be living permanently with to live independently. The service on
We will not put any limits on the number of • if you have access to children who do offer has all the features of sheltered
areas that you can choose, however your you in the household.
not reside with you on a full-time basis housing along with additional support
choices of property type and location may be we will provide one additional bedroom and meal provision. To apply for very
affected by specific issues or circumstances. Household Size Number of
if required; sheltered housing, a medical self-
Bedrooms
Examples of where your choices could be assessment must be completed and
• if you or a member of your household
restricted include: Single Person Bedsit or 1-2 you need to:
is pregnant and can provide us with
bedrooms* proof of pregnancy from someone
• if you have a medical • normally be 60 years or over or
recommendation/requirement for a Couple Bedsit or 1-2 independent like a doctor or midwife, with a recognised disability;
specific type of property; bedrooms* the unborn baby will be included in
terms of the number of bedroom • be assessed as needing the
• if an anti-social behaviour order Family* with one child 2 bedrooms required; additional support and meal
may prohibit you from accessing a provision that very sheltered
Family with two children 2 bedrooms
particular area; • if there is a significant age-gap housing offers to allow you to
of the same gender (any between same-sex siblings who are continue living independently in
• the availability of the remaining age) or different genders sharing a bedroom. the community.
housing stock in the area. but both are under 10
years of age We will ask you to provide further information • Sheltered Housing
We will provide you with clear information in support of your application if you require Sheltered housing properties allow
Family with two children, 3 bedrooms
about the stock held by all three partners, so larger accommodation than we would older people to retain a high degree
of different genders, and
that you can make informed choices when normally allocate within the CAP. of independence within their home.
at least one aged over 10
selecting your preferred areas that maximise Services include staff on site Monday
years of age If we make you an offer of housing that has
your opportunities for housing. to Friday, 8.30 am - 4.15 pm and
Family with 3 children 3 bedrooms one more bedroom than you need, we will access to an emergency mobile
Note on Selecting Areas of Choice provide you with information and advice to response service 24 hours a day, 365
Family with 4 children of 3 bedrooms enable you to make an informed decision and
It is important that you carefully consider days a year.
the same gender, or all choice about how you will manage to pay for
the areas that you would like to live in taking at least under 10 years of To apply for sheltered housing, a
account of things like: your home financially. It is really important
age that you consider this information as you medical self-assessment must be
• how close it is to your place of work or could be at risk of financial hardship which completed and you need to:
Family with 4 children or 4 or 5
your children’s school; more bedrooms could result in the loss of your home. • normally be 60 years or over or
• the availability of public transport at with a recognised disability;
the times you would need it; * A Family is defined as a couple or a single parent
(male or female) with at least one child. • be assessed as needing the
• whether key local services like shops, a additional support that sheltered
chemist or a post office are available. * Please note it is only possible to be on one waiting housing offers to allow you to
list at a time so single people and couples will have to
choose whether they want to be on the one-bedroom continue living independently in
Whilst it is useful to select a range of areas or two-bedroom waiting list. the community.
to maximise your chances of receiving an
The exception to this is where you are willing to
offer of housing, there is no point in selecting consider a bedsit, you can be on the waiting list for a
If you are applying as a couple, only
an area that you really don’t want to live in bedsit and a one-bedroom property simultaneously. one of you need to meet the criteria
or which would create difficulties for you for Couples will only be allocated a bedsit if they have listed above.
reasons like those listed above. selected this property type on their application form.
5 Types of Housing and Areas Where 6 Assessing Your Housing Need -
You Want to Live (continued) Our Group Plus Points System
Sheltered housing is not restricted to please contact the Housing Options In order to provide a fair system, the CAP • people at risk of/experiencing serious
over 60s and the partners recognise Team at Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull prioritises applicants on the waiting list harassment including harassment of
that, in some cases, there are people Street, Perth or by calling 01738 according to their housing need. To do this a racial, religious or sexual nature or
of all ages who would benefit from this 476000. we operate a group plus points system. This which is based on someone’s gender,
type of housing. means applicants are placed into a group sexuality or disability;
• Adapted Housing
with points dependent on their housing need.
If you make an application for very Adapted housing includes houses • people leaving supported
Refer to Appendix 1 for further details on the
sheltered or sheltered housing, you will purposely built for disabled people accommodation;
groups and points.
be assessed by the Housing Options as well as homes that have been
• armed forces personnel leaving full-
Team to identify if this housing is significantly adapted. The Groups are: time regular service;
suitable for you and the level of priority
If you require a specifically adapted • Strategic Needs
to be awarded. • people who require to leave home as a
property because you have a
• Homelessness result of regeneration activity;
• Retirement Housing particular health need or a disability,
Similar to sheltered housing, retirement a full needs assessment will be carried • Transfer Applicants (you are a tenant • witness protection cases;
housing has staff available to offer you out by an Occupational Therapist and/ of one of the three partners):
help, deal with any health and safety or Social Work and points then will be • people who are ready to leave hospital
1 Medical but cannot as they don’t have suitable
issues and respond to community awarded within your group to reflect
accommodation (delayed discharge);
alarm calls. You can make an the degree of your housing need. 2 Overcrowding
application for retirement housing if: • served with a Closing Order;
When allocating adapted housing, your 3 Under-Occupying
• you are 60 years or over or with a suitability for the property will be the • staying in adaptive housing but no
recognised disability; determining factor so it is important 4 Providing and/or Receiving Support longer require it;
that we fully understand the type of 5 No Housing Need (no points
• you need more manageable • exceptional circumstances.
property you need. awarded)
accommodation with security.
• Housing Waiting List Applicants: If your application is placed in the Strategic
If you make an application for Needs Group, it will be held in date order,
retirement housing, you will be 1 Medical based on the date the decision was made to
assessed by the Housing Options Team place your application in this Group. At least
2 Overcrowding
to identify if this housing is suitable 10% of all our housing allocations are made
for you and the level of priority to be 3 Below Tolerable Standard to this Group. The 10% proportion reflects
awarded. the legal responsibilities that we have as well
4 Insecure Housing
as our policy objective ‘to respond quickly to
• Amenity Housing
5 Providing and/or Receiving Support people in acute and urgent housing need’.
Amenity housing is available for older
people or people with a recognised 6 No Housing Need (no points If your application qualifies to be placed in
disability. You can make an application awarded) the Strategic Needs Group we will make you
for amenity housing if: one reasonable offer of accommodation.
• you are over 50; Strategic Needs 6.1 If you refuse the offer we make, this
will normally result in the priority being
• have a medical condition and The Strategic Needs Group has been withdrawn and your application will be
would benefit from the features designed to meet urgent or exceptional removed from the Strategic Needs Group.
of this type of accommodation. housing need as quickly and successfully as
possible. If you are placed in the Strategic You will be placed in one of the other housing
If you make an application for groups, for example Housing Waiting List or
Needs Group you may be given priority over
retirement or amenity housing, you will Transfer Applicant.
other types of housing applicant because of
be assessed by the Housing Options
the urgent circumstances that you are facing.
Team to identify if this housing is Applicants who qualify for priority rehousing
Refer to Appendix 1 for further details. This
suitable for you and the level of priority within the Strategic Needs Group and are not
group includes applicants who are:
to be awarded. rehoused within 3 months of being placed
• looked after and accommodated in the Strategic Need Group will have their
Please note that there is a separate
children; application reviewed.
application process for the types of
housing outlined above. If you are • foster/kinship carers whose current
interested in this type of housing, property is unsuitable for reasons
relating to their caring responsibilities;
6 Assessing Your Housing Need -
Our Group Plus Points System (continued)
Homelessness 6.2 We will offer accommodation that meets the The housing needs of applicants in the Refer to Appendix 1 for further details.
needs of the applicant as soon as a suitable Transfer and Housing Waiting List groups will
Our policy objective to ‘minimise the impact property becomes available. If more than be fully assessed and we will award points Medical Priority
of homelessness’ means that we will target one homeless applicant has an equal need depending on your personal circumstances If your health or the health of someone in
our resources to try and prevent homeless for a property, we will offer the property and current housing situation. your household is affected by your current
situations before they arise. We want to in date order, based on the date of the
Applicants in the Transfer and Housing housing circumstances, you will be asked
provide you with good quality information homeless application. We will take positive
Waiting List groups will share the same to complete a ‘Medical Housing Self-
and advice on the range of housing and action to make sure that homeless applicants
number of points but applications will Assessment Form’. The Council’s Housing
support options available to help you make are treated fairly when we make an offer of
be prioritised based on the date of their Options team will assess your housing needs
informed choices and good decisions about rehousing. We will do this by:
application. This means that if two to determine if you have a high, medium or
how to meet your housing needs. Refer to
• matching our offer, as far as we applicants have the same number of points, low medical need for rehousing. In some
Appendix 1 for further details.
possibly can, to the applicant’s needs the applicant who registered first will be complex cases or where you are unhappy
If you believe that you may be at risk of and preferences; considered first, if a suitable property with our decision, we may refer to the NHS
losing your home, you should contact the becomes available. However, around 24% Medical Advisory Service for advice.
Housing Options Team, Locality Area Office • making further offers, if the Council
upholds an appeal about the suitability of all our housing allocations will be made to Based on this assessment, we will add
or one of the partners as soon as possible applicants on the Transfer list and around
of the original offer; points to your application if this assessment
to discuss your housing options. This means 16% to Housing Waiting List applicants. These confirms that your current home is
that we can give you advice on the range of • monitoring the housing outcomes for proportions reflect our legal responsibilities unsuitable, the extent to which your home is
housing options in your area, as well as giving homeless applicants to ensure that and allow us to respond to housing need unsuitable and whether the property could
you guidance on support available to help they are receiving equal access to all of effectively whilst making best use of our reasonably be adapted to meet your needs.
you continue to live in your current home. our house types and locations. housing stock.
The contact details you need are listed in The focus of the medical housing self-
Appendix 2. If your application qualifies to be registered Housing Waiting List and Transfer Applicant assessment is not on the health condition
in the Homelessness Needs Group we Points Categories itself, but on the way if affects how you
If the Council finds that you are will make you one reasonable offer of
When you apply for housing, you receive manage in your home, eg you may have been
‘unintentionally homeless’, it means that you accommodation. If you refuse the offer we
a certain number of points based on your diagnosed with a serious illness or condition,
are homeless through no fault of your own make, this will normally result in your priority
current housing circumstances. We award but you can live independently in your current
and because of your circumstances, you will being withdrawn and your application will
points for six main reasons including: home.
be offered accommodation by one of the be removed from the Homelessness Needs
partners. Group. You can apply for medical points at any time
1 Medical
throughout the duration of your application.
We operate a rapid rehousing response You may be considered under the other 2 Overcrowding Once assessed, a decision will be made to
to homelessness called Home First. housing groups, for example Housing Waiting
3 Under-Occupation award any relevant level of points and if
This is designed to minimise the impact or Transfer List, but given the level of priority appropriate a recommendation for specific
of homelessness by providing direct awarded to the homelessness group, it could 4 Below Tolerable Standard housing types or adaptions.
access to settled accommodation where be some time before another offer of housing
possible, avoiding the need for temporary is made. 5 Insecure Accommodation In some circumstances it may be more
accommodation. appropriate to carry out adaptations to your
6 Providing or Receiving Help to Live
existing home. We will advise you where
If you are assessed as unintentionally Transfer and Housing 6.3 Independently
we feel this is the case. There are different
homeless, your application will be placed Waiting List Applicants Within the points system, you can usually options available if you rent from one of the
into the Homeless Needs Group. If you are in
receive points in every category that partners.
this group, we will prioritise your application Housing Waiting List applicants are
based on the date which you applied for a applicants who do not qualify in any of the applies to you. For example, if you are
If you are a tenant of a private sector
homelessness assessment. At least 50% other housing groups (eg Strategic Needs or in an overcrowded property and living in
landlord, you also have a right to adapt your
of all our housing allocations are made to Homelessness), and who want to move into accommodation which is below tolerable
home if it is unsuitable for your needs or
this group. The 50% proportion reflects the the social housing sector. This group also standard you would receive points for all of
equally if you own your own property. You
legal responsibilities that we have to meet includes applicants who are tenants of one of these circumstances. We will assess whether
should contact your landlord or any of the
the needs of homeless applicants, as well as the partners but do not currently live in Perth you qualify for these points using the detailed
partners, to ask for advice and practical
our policy objective ‘to respond to people in and Kinross. guidelines set out below.
assistance on installing equipment and
acute and urgent housing need’. Transfer applicants will not receive points adaptations to the property.
Transfer applicants are current tenants of
the partners who live in Perth and Kinross for below tolerable standard or insecure
Refer to Appendix 1 for further details.
and want to move to a new home. housing. Housing Waiting List applicants will
not receive points for under-occupying.
Our Group Plus Points System (continued)
Overcrowding Under-Occupation • has an adequate piped supply of may contact your landlord for repairs or work
wholesome water available within the to be carried out on your property.
You will receive points for overcrowding Under-occupation is when you have more
house;
if you do not have enough bedrooms in bedrooms in your accommodation than you Refer to Appendix 1 for further details.
your current home to meet the size of your require or use. We will award points to your • has a sink provided with a satisfactory
household. You will be awarded points for application for under-occupation if you meet supply of both hot and cold water Insecure Accommodation
every bedroom that you do not have. We the following criteria: within the house;
This category covers situations where we
will not provide points if you have rooms that
• you are a tenant of one of the partner • has a water closet or waterless closet will add points to your housing application
could be used as a bedroom but you are
providers residing within Perth and available for the exclusive use of the if you are at risk of losing your current
currently not using them in this way such as
Kinross; occupants of the house and suitably accommodation through no fault of your
an office. In calculating overcrowding we
located within the house; own, ie we will not award points if you are
will consider it reasonable for the following • your accommodation is too large for
at risk of losing your home as a result your
household members to share a double your current requirements and you • has a fixed bath or shower and a behaviour (eg breaching the terms of your
bedroom: want to downsize. wash-hand basin, each provided with tenancy agreement, failing to pay your rent
a satisfactory supply of both hot and
• couples; Refer to Appendix 1 for further details. or mortgage, anti-social behaviour). There
cold water and suitably located within are two main situations where insecure
• same-sex household members; the house;
Below Tolerable Standard housing points may be added as follows:
• two mixed-sex household members, • has an effective system for the
We will award points to your housing • Notice to Quit or Notice to Leave: you
provided that they are both under 10 drainage and disposal of foul and
application if your accommodation is will be awarded points if you have
years of age. surface water;
significantly below the tolerable standard. been served with a valid Notice to Quit
However, in some circumstances, we will This means the condition of your home falls • in the case of a house having a from your landlord to end a Short
take into account the relationship between below the minimum standard set out in the supply of electricity, complies with the Assured Tenancy, through no fault of
those sharing a bedroom when calculating Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 as amended by relevant requirements in relation to the your own (eg your landlord wants to
overcrowding particularly if there is a the 2001 and 2006 Housing (Scotland) Acts. electrical installations for the purposes sell the property). These points will
significant age gap between the two of that supply: also be awarded if you have a Private
It means that your accommodation is not Residential Tenancy and you have
household members. • ‘the electrical installation’ is the
in a good enough condition for you to live been issued with a Notice to Leave.
If you have a box room in your current in (for example, if your property has no hot electrical wiring and associated
or cold running water, mains electricity or components and fittings, • Tied tenancy: you will be awarded
accommodation, we will count this as a
it is structurally unstable). The tolerable but excludes equipment and points if you currently live in
bedroom if the room has a window and there
standard consists of a set of criteria covering appliances; accommodation provided by your
is space to fit and use a single bed, a small
the parts of a property which are essential to employers and you require to
wardrobe and a small chest of drawers. • ‘the relevant requirements’ are
its functioning as a healthy, comfortable and leave it as a result of retirement or
that the electrical installation is redundancy.
If you wish to be considered for the same size safe home. The tolerable standard focuses adequate and safe to use;
of accommodation that you are currently on the building itself, and does not extend
residing in, we will not award overcrowding • has satisfactory facilities for the Refer to Appendix 1 for further details.
to internal decoration, heating systems or
points to your application. other amenities in the house. The tolerable cooking of food within the house;
Providing or Receiving Help to Live
standard applies to houses of all tenures,
Equally, we will not award overcrowding • has satisfactory access to all external Independently
which means that it applies in private sector doors and outbuildings.
points to your application if you overcrowd We will award points to your housing
housing as well as social housing.
your current property by moving people application if you need to move to provide
into your home who will not be part of your A house meets the tolerable standard if it: A property is below the tolerable standard
if it fails to meet any one of the elements of help to a person to enable them to live
household when you move. independently.
• is structurally stable; the tolerable standard, as defined above.
If you are a single person and you live in a If your current accommodation is in very We will also award points to your application
• is substantially free from rising or
bedsit or studio flat, you will not be awarded poor condition you must tell us when you if you need to move so that you can receive
penetrating damp;
overcrowding points. make an application for housing. We will help from a person to enable you to live
• has satisfactory provision for natural then contact you and arrange for a property independently in your new home.
Refer to Appendix 1 for further details. and artificial lighting, for ventilation inspection to be carried out so that we can
and for heating; assess whether or not the property fails the When we are considering whether to award
standard. If it does, we will add points to points to your application, we may ask you to
• has satisfactory thermal insulation; provide a letter from the person receiving or
your housing application and we will liaise
with Environmental Health Officers and they providing help, explaining your reason for
Our Group Plus Points System (continued) 7 Offering You a Home
moving and the reason why you need to live Officers use our computer system to prepare homeless duty to you and you will lose your
near to them. a ‘shortlist’ of applicants when a property priority status and your application will move
becomes available. Joining the housing list to another group. A further offer of housing
Refer to Appendix 1 for further details. does not mean that we will always be able to can be made from this group but it will be
make you an offer. Whether you receive an some considerable time before another offer
Transfer Applicants - Pre-Transfer Visits
offer of housing will depend on: is made.
Transfer applicants are tenants of one of
the Common Housing Register partners who • your housing need; Every offer we make will be a reasonable
already live in the Perth and Kinross area. offer.
• demand from other people on the list;
If you are a transfer applicant and are being • the number of properties that become This means that the property we offer you
considered for an offer of housing, your available; will:
landlord may arrange to visit your home to • have all the bedrooms you need as
• the number of allocations we need
check its condition before making you an defined by this policy;
to make to applicants in each of the
offer of housing. If your current property is
groups. • meet all the recommendations our
found to be in poor condition, you may be
asked to carry out some work to bring it up to Housing Options Team made after an
If we decide to offer you a property, we will assessment of your needs.
the required standard before we are able to make you a formal offer of housing. We may
offer you alternative housing. call you to tell you we have an offer for you Wherever possible, we will offer you the type
This policy will usually be waived if you have and will send you a written offer. If we offer of housing you’d like but we can’t always do
an urgent need for rehousing, for example if you housing by ‘phone’ we will always confirm this because we don’t always have enough
your current property is really unsuitable on the offer in writing. of the type of properties people would like to
medical grounds or if you would be at risk if The letter we send to you will set out the next live in.
you remained in the property. steps and information regarding the pre-
tenancy interview. We will tell you: Accepting Our Offer of Housing 7.1
No Housing Need
You will not be awarded any points if you are • the address of the property; If you accept our offer, we will sign you up
considered to have no housing need. This as our tenant at your pre-tenancy interview.
• the number of bedrooms it has;
means that your current accommodation If you made a joint application, you will
meets your needs. However, we can support • what type of property it is (such as a have a joint tenancy. All joint tenants must
you through our housing options approach to flat or a house); be present when we ask you to sign your
consider the other housing options that may tenancy agreement. We will give you advice,
• how much rent and service charge you
be available to you such as private sector information and support throughout the
will have to pay if you accept the offer;
housing or home ownership. process of becoming our tenant. We will
and
clearly explain your rights and responsibilities
Refer to Appendix 1 for further details. • what to bring to your pre-tenancy under the tenancy agreement before you
interview. sign it.
When we contact you about an offer of

housing, we’ll advise you how much time you
have to respond but we’ll always give you at
least 3 days to decide. If you don’t respond
to our offer of housing within the timescale,
we’ll treat this as a refusal of the offer.
We will normally make applicants up to
two offers of housing, and Homeless and
Strategic Need applicants one.
If you turn down two offers, or one offer if
you are in Strategic Need or Homelessness,
without good reasons, we may suspend
your housing application and discharge our
8 Tenancies
If you are made an offer of housing, we will • you need housing support to help you Adapted Properties 8.3
offer you a Scottish Secure Tenancy (SST) maintain your tenancy;
in line with our legal responsibilities. A SST Adaptations such as ramps and level access
• we are sub-letting the property to showers are expensive to install and remove
means you can keep your tenancy for as long
you: this means we lease the property and the process can take time. It makes
as you want as long as you do not break the
we’re offering you from another social sense that wherever possible, homes that
terms of your tenancy agreement. If you do,
landlord. have already been specially adapted should
we can take legal action to end your tenancy.
be made available to people who can make
In a limited number of situations, we may In all cases we will serve you with a notice,
use of those adaptations.
offer you a Short Scottish Secure Tenancy. informing you that we are offering you a
As a Short Scottish Secure tenant you have Short Scottish Secure Tenancy. If you have adaptations in your property
many of the same rights as a Scottish Secure which you no longer require or which you did
This notice will also state why you are being
tenant. not require in the first place, we may require
offered a Short Scottish Secure Tenancy and
you to move to an alternative property. This
However, your rights are more limited on the period for which the tenancy is being
only applies to tenants of the partners who
eviction, sub-letting and succession. offered.
live in Perth and Kinross.
Your Short Scottish Secure Tenancy If you have been given a Short Scottish
agreement will state that your tenancy is for Secure Tenancy because of a previous
a fixed period of time (at least six months). If eviction for anti-social behaviour or because
by the end of that time, neither you nor your someone you live has an anti-social
landlord has requested that the lease ends, it behaviour order (ASBO) served against
will renew itself for the same amount of time them, the Short Scottish Secure Tenancy will
again (for example, for another six months). be converted to a Scottish Secure Tenancy at
the end of 12 months, provided the landlord
We can only give Short Scottish Secure hasn’t given you a notice to quit.
Tenancies in very specific circumstances.
This is defined by law in Section 37, Schedule Your landlord will notify you when your
6 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and tenancy agreement changes, and will tell you
associated amendments in the Housing what your new rights and responsibilities are.
(Scotland) Act 2014. These circumstances
will apply to you if: Joint Tenancies 8.1
• you have previously been evicted for Under this policy you can apply to any of
anti-social behaviour in the last three the partners to have a joint tenancy with
years; someone who is staying with you or someone
• you or someone you live with has an you intend to stay with you.
anti-social behaviour order; We encourage joint applicants, of the same
• you, a member of your household or a or opposite sex, to apply for joint tenancies to
visitor has been involved in anti-social ensure that they have similar legal rights.
behaviour in or near their home within
the last three years; Houses in Multiple Occupation 8.2
• you are moving to Perth and Kinross to (HMOs)
take up or seek employment;
We will never make an offer of housing that
• where you’re living is scheduled for would result in three or more unrelated
development and we need you to move people living in a property, as this would
to allow us to get the work done; create a house in multiple-occupation (HMO).
• you are homeless and the property The only exception to this policy is where
is let to you on a temporary basis for the property is being leased to a support
more than six months; provider to provide specialist accommodation
for community care needs or homeless
supported accommodation.
9 Reviewing, Removal, Deferral,
Suspension and Merging of Applications
We will review your application at least once Deferred Applications 9.2 Reason for Suspension Period of Suspension Reason for Ending
a year. The date of this review is based
You can ask us to defer your application if Suspension
on the date you registered your housing
application with us. This is important to keep you don’t want to get an offer of housing for You refuse two reasonable offers of 12 months from date of Application
the CHR up-to-date and ensure appropriate some reason. This means that you can stay housing. second refusal. automatically reinstated
offers of housing are made. on the CHR but won’t get an offer of housing. after 12 months.
People sometimes ask us to do this if their
As part of the review, we will write to you home comes with their job but they don’t You withhold information that you 6 months from date Application
asking if there have been any changes in your have to leave their home yet. If you ask us to should have told us about: for example, discovered. automatically reinstated
circumstances and if your choices of property defer your application, it is your responsibility if you had a tenancy in the three years after 6 months.
type and area are the same. to tell us when you’d like to be considered for before you applied to us for housing
an offer of housing. You must still respond to and you didn’t tell us, that’s withholding
We will give you 28 days to reply. If you have
our letters when we review your application if information that you should have told us
not replied we will send you a reminder giving
you ask us to defer your application. about.
you 7 more days to reply. If you don’t reply,
we will remove your application from the We will not normally defer applications that You give us misleading information: if 6 months from date Application
CHR. are held in the Homelessness or Strategic you tell us that you left your last home discovered. automatically reinstated
Need groups. because the tenancy ended but the after 6 months.
However, if you contact us within 3 months tenancy ended because your landlord
of your application being cancelled, you had you evicted because you didn’t
can have your original application form Suspending Applications 9.3 pay your rent, that’s providing us with
re-instated. The date of registration misleading information.
Everyone has a right to have their application
will be based on the date you made the
added to our CHR if they are 16 years or over. You give us information that you know is 6 months from date Application
original application. You may be required
However, we can suspend your application wrong: if you tell us you never owned a discovered. automatically reinstated
to complete a new application form if your
from CHR in certain circumstances. If we property or you were never the tenant after 6 months.
circumstances have changed.
suspend your application, you will not be of a property when you were, this is
If you are placed in Strategic Needs or offered accommodation, even if you are in providing information that you know is
Homelessness group, we will review your housing need. wrong.
application every three months to check you
We want to keep to a minimum the number You do something that makes your 6 months from date Application
are still in acute housing need.
of people we suspend on the CHR, but there housing situation worse such as giving discovered or from automatically reinstated
are some circumstances where we do need up a secure tenancy without having date you left the after 6 months.
Removal of Applications 9.1 to suspend people from the CHR. These another property to go to. accommodation.
circumstances are as follows.
There are other times when we will remove You or someone that lives with you This will be reviewed Evidence that behaviour
an application from the CHR apart from the has been responsible for serious and every three months has improved.
annual review. enduring anti-social behavior or is the and information will
We will remove your application from the subject of an ASBO. be obtained from your
CHR if: landlord, the Safer
Communities Team,
• you request, in writing, that you wish to Police Scotland or any
be removed from the list; other relevant agencies.
• you do not reply when we ask you You have lost a previous tenancy within 6 months from date Application
for more information to support your the last 3 years by abandoning it: for discovered. automatically reinstated
application or we ask you to get in example, you leave a property that you after 6 months.
touch with us for some other reason; have rented without handing back the
• you fail to respond to a review; keys or notifying your landlord.
You have outstanding rent arrears Subject to you repaying Evidence that rent or
• we have been notified of your death.
equivalent to more than one twelfth of the debt. service charge debt has
the annual rent charge and there is no reduced and you have
arrangement in place to repay what you made at least 3 monthly
owe. payments towards what
you owe.
9 Reviewing, Removal, Deferral,
Suspension and Merging of Applications 10 Other Allocations Issues and
(continued) Information
Reason for Suspension Period of Suspension Reason for Ending Community Safety - 10.1 • Management reasons: such as where
we need to carry out substantial works
Suspension Multi-Agency Public Protection
to your home and we need to move you
You have previously been evicted by 6 months from date Application Arrangements (MAPPA) out temporarily or you have succeeded
a court order within the last 3 years: discovered. automatically reinstated Social landlords have a legal duty to to the property but it was specially
for example, you were evicted for rent after 6 months. consider the housing requirements of all adapted for the original tenant and
arrears (drug dealing/cultivation from applicants including persons currently on you don’t need those adaptations but
your home) or damage to the property the sex offenders register and other high- someone else does.
or its contents. risk offenders who are subject to the Multi- • Community safety issues: such as
Agency Public Protection Arrangements witness protection measures or
You can appeal against our decision to suspend your application and also ask us to review our (MAPPA). there is a high risk to you remaining
decision if your circumstances change. See Section 11 for further information on appeals and in the property and this has been
complaints. These arrangements require that agencies
confirmed by Police Scotland and other
like the Police, Local Authorities, Registered
professionals.
Social Landlords, Health Boards and the
Merging Applications 9.4 Change in Circumstances 9.5 Scottish Prison Service work together to • Domestic abuse cases where moving
assess and manage the risks posed by such the perpetrator enables the victim to
You may wish to be considered jointly for You must tell us if your circumstances offenders. remain in the family home.
housing with someone who already has change.
an application on the CHR. This means The aim of MAPPA is to promote public If you refuse an offer after we’ve made you
that you could merge your application with You can call us, email or write to us to tell safety and reduce the risk of harm.
us about the change. If someone joins your discretion, you will lose your priority status
this person. In these cases, the date of and your application will return to the group
application will be determined by the date of household or leaves it, or you move home,
you need to tell us about this change. Using Our Discretion 10.2 where it was before discretion was used.
the earliest application.
Where your application is placed on the CHR We understand that our CAP cannot cover
If you wish to withdraw from a joint all of the circumstances that may lead to you Bypassing Applications 10.3
application you will be allowed to have your and the group you are placed in and the
points you get (if any) may change if there is needing to move home. In these situations, Where we don’t make an offer of housing to
original date of application re-instated if you the Service Manager, Perth & Kinross Council,
wish to re-submit an application in your own a change of circumstances. the first or next person on the shortlist for a
or the Housing Manager of Hillcrest and property that’s available to let, we call this
right. You can get the form you need on the Perth Caledonia Housing Association has a special ‘bypassing’.
The group and points allocated will be & Kinross Council website, from any of our power to use ‘discretion’ where you need to
reassessed due to the change in your officers or by asking for one by phone or move or be housed urgently. When a property becomes available for offer,
circumstances. email. we have to decide who would benefit most
Discretion will only be used where: from the property. For example, if a property
• housing is needed quickly; adapted for the needs of a wheelchair user is
available to let but the next person on the list
• our Common Allocations Policy won’t doesn’t use a wheelchair, we would bypass
allow us to offer housing quickly; that person. We would continue to bypass
• there are good reasons or special applications until we found someone with
circumstances to offer housing quickly a need for the property which ensures that
in urgent cases. we ‘make best use of housing that becomes
available for rent’ in order to meet our policy
‘Good reasons’ and ‘special circumstances’ objective.
include:
For overcrowded households with the same
• Significant compassionate grounds: number of points, applications will be ranked
such as the death of a family member based on the date of application. However,
in or around the house. In these we may bypass an application to give
circumstances, it may be very difficult preference to another applicant who has
for the remaining family to distance more people in their household.
themselves from the event and
professional advice suggests a change Whenever we bypass an application,
of home is fundamental to the future we must record why the application was
wellbeing of a family member. bypassed. This helps to ensure our policy is
10 Other Allocations Issues and
Information (continued)
transparent, we have acted fairly and are To introduce a Local Lettings Initiative, all Applications from Staff, 10.7 The information provided by you will be
responsible for the decisions we make. Any partners will jointly consider the evidence used by Perth & Kinross Council on behalf of
Council Elected Members or
decision to bypass must be based on need that has informed the proposal, the views of the Partners to assess your application for
and our policy intention of ensuring the best the local community/wider partners and the Management Committee Members housing, establish the extent of your housing
use is made of the housing stock. proposed aims and objectives. We will make Members of staff of the partner landlords, need and consider your suitability for offers
a joint decision about whether to introduce including people who live with them and close of accommodation.
The CHR monitoring group reviews bypass a Local Lettings Initiative in order to make
reasons each year to ensure that bypasses relatives, must declare their interest on the The information may be shared with relevant
sure the overall aims and objectives of the CHR application form.
are made fairly. Common Allocations Policy are not negatively partner agencies to ensure that your
affected by it. We will only accept a housing application or application is assessed accurately and that
Local Lettings Initiatives 10.4 make an offer of housing to someone who offers of accommodation are reasonable.
All partners will manage and monitor Local is a member of staff, including people who These agencies include relevant local
In Perth and Kinross we have different Lettings Initiatives collaboratively to ensure live with them, if the application and offer is authority departments, the Department for
amounts of housing in each area and positive outcomes are achieved. Where authorised by either: Work and Pensions, the Medical Advisory
different levels of demand. House types and we intend to use a Local Lettings Initiative, Service (NHS) and Police Scotland.
sizes, the availability of local services and the the details will be published on the relevant • Perth & Kinross Council, Service
location of our homes can affect the demand Partner’s website. Manager, Perth City and Specialist If you would like a full list of the agencies that
for housing. Services or Team Leader, Specialist may be consulted regarding your application,
Services; please contact the Housing Options Team,
Although our Common Allocations Policy Nomination Agreements 10.5 Housing & Environment, Perth & Kinross
aims to create a simple, straightforward • Caledonia Housing Association’s, Council, Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street,
We have nomination agreements with other Management Committee;
system for allocating our homes; sometimes social housing landlords who have housing Perth, PH1 5GD.
we will need to make an extra effort to in Perth and Kinross. They may ask us to tell • Hillcrest Housing Association’s Area
encourage applicants to move to a local area. Perth & Kinross Council, on behalf of the
them about anyone on our waiting list who Manager or Operations Manager. Partners, may check information provided by
To achieve this, sometimes we may use the is looking for housing in the areas where
way we allocate our homes to support local you, or information about you provided by a
they have homes for rent. We call these
investment, community sustainability and arrangements ‘nomination agreements’.
Personal Information and 10.8 third party, with other information held by us.
We may also get information from certain
regeneration plans or to make sure we have Information Sharing third parties or share your information with
a good mix of different household types and We will nominate you if you have agreed
ages. to this on your application form and if you Any personal information you give us when them in order to check its accuracy, prevent
qualify under the other landlord’s allocations you apply for housing under this policy or detect crime, protect public funds or
To achieve this partners may introduce a policy. will be handled according to the legal where required by law.
Local Lettings Initiative to address a specific responsibilities placed on us by the General
issue within one of our communities, eg: Social landlords try to offer at least fifty For further information:
Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and
percent of any new homes or properties that Data Protection Act 2018. • visit our website - www.pkc.gov.uk/
• in areas of low demand, we may wish
become available to people on the CHR. dataprotection
to relax the bedroom criteria in order This means that your personal information
to allow applicants to occupy larger will always be held on a secure IT system and • email DataProtection@pkc.gov.uk
properties; Mutual Exchanges 10.6 accessed only by authorised individuals. The
• tel 01738 477933
• in flatted accommodation, we may wish If you currently live in Perth and Kinross and information you give us will only ever be used
to reduce the number of household you rent your home from one of the partner for the following four purposes:
with children occupying properties landlords, you can apply to swap your home • assessing your housing application in .
in order to create a balanced mix of through the Mutual Exchange Scheme. accordance with the policy;
households;
Your landlord must agree to the exchange, • statistical monitoring of housing supply
• for new-build accommodation in rural and they can only refuse permission if it is and demand;
locations, we may wish to give priority reasonable to do so. Each partner has a
to local applicants who live in and separate policy that sets out the rules that • future consultation and customer
contribute to the local community; apply if you want to take part in a mutual surveys;
exchange. • the prevention and detection of fraud
• in areas where there are significant
issues and concerns with anti-social through the National Fraud Initiative
You can get more information about mutual
behaviour. which is a UK Government data-
exchanges from the partner landlords’ offices
matching exercise.
or websites.
11 Appeals and Complaints
Appeals 11.1 The Co-ordinator or Team Leader will If you are not satisfied by our response, Equality and Diversity 11.4
review your appeal within five working you can ask the Scottish Public Services
We will always try our best to give you an days so long as you have provided us Ombudsman to investigate: All partners are firmly committed to equality
excellent service, but we know sometimes with all the information we need. of opportunity for all housing applicants, and
things go wrong and you might want to The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman will ensure that in applying this policy we
appeal against decisions that we make about There is no further right of appeal. 4A Melville Street will not discriminate against any individual,
your housing application. EDINBURGH household or group on grounds of race,
EH3 7NS gender, sex, marital status/civil partnership,
If you are unhappy about any decision we Complaints 11.2
Tel 0800 377 7330 gender reassignment, sexual orientation,
have made on your application, you can If you are dissatisfied with the level of service pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief,
Fax 0800 377 7331
appeal: you have received from us, eg regarding the language, social origin, disability, age or other
actual allocation of a property or not meeting Email ask@spso.org.uk personal attribute.
• the group or points we award your
our published service standards, each www.spso.org.uk
application;
partner has a complaints procedure that is We will make this policy available in
• a decision to suspend you from simple and easy to use. alternative formats such as large print or
receiving offers; The Scottish Housing Regulator 11.3 Braille on request. Translation services for
You can contact any partner to ask for a The Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) is other languages or British Sign Language
• decision to cancel your application; copy of their complaints procedure. If the will also be made available if you require
the independent regulator of registered
• the level of medical priority you are complaint is about the way in which your social landlords and local authority housing this. We are also firmly committed to the
awarded; application has been registered or anything services in Scotland. equalities standard in the Scottish Social
that is directly associated with the CHR you Housing Charter that ‘every tenant and
• an offer of housing if you think it was can complain using the Council’s Corporate The SHR has a legal responsibility to: other customer has their individual needs
not a reasonable offer; Complaints Procedure by: recognised, is treated fairly and with respect,
‘safeguard and promote the interests
• any decision we make which you and receives fair access to housing and
• completing an online enquiry form; of current and future tenants of social
believe has not been dealt with housing services’.
landlords, people who are or may become
in accordance with the Common • telephoning us on 01738 475500;
homeless, and people who use housing An Equality Impact Assessment has been
Allocations Policy. • emailing services provided by registered social completed for this Policy. If you would like
There are two stages to this appeal process CustomerComplaints@pkc.gov.uk landlords (RSLs) and local authorities’. a copy, please contact the Housing Options
as follows: • writing to us at the Customer Service Team on 01738 476000.
The SHR monitors how well the partners are
• Stage 1 Centre, Perth & Kinross Council, Pullar delivering their housing services, managing
You can appeal our decision by writing House, 35 Kinnoull Street, PERTH, their finances and performing good
to us, emailing, or verbally, to the PH1 5GD; standards of governance. If needed, the SHR
Housing Options Team. • or visiting us at Pullar House, 35 will intervene to make improvements where
For example, if you do not agree with Kinnoull Street, Perth, at our partners’ there is evidence that this is needed.
the group or points we have given you, offices or any Council office.
All partners will provide evidence each year
you should first contact the Housing that their performance meets the standards
Options Team who assessed your Our complaints procedures will explain each
step of our process, and how you can appeal set out by the SHR in the Scottish Social
application and ask them to reassess Housing Charter. This means that the SHR
your case. to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.
You must generally use our internal will monitor, assess, compare and report on
We will do this within five working days. complaints system before contacting the the performance of all partners in relation to:
• Stage 2 Ombudsman. • how easy we make it for you to apply

If you remain dissatisfied with the for housing;
The Ombudsman is a government-based
decision, a written appeal can then be organisation who will review your case if you • how well we communicate with you and
lodged with the Housing Options have already been through our complaints give you advice;
Co-ordinator or Team Leader, procedures and you feel we have not dealt
Specialist Services at Housing & • how well we manage the Common
with your complaint fairly. At each stage
Environment, Perth & Kinross Council, Housing Register.
of the application and allocation process,
Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, we will remind you of your right to appeal
Perth, PH1 5GD or by emailing Our approach to monitoring our performance
against decisions that we make about your against Charter standards is set out fully in
housingoptionsandsupport@pkc.gov.uk housing application. Section 12.3 of this policy.
12 Managing the CHR and the 13 Quality Assurance and Performance
Common Allocations Policy Management
CHR Monitoring Group 12.1 Training 12.2 In line with our commitment to meeting • Assessing Applications
the outcomes of the Scottish Social We will monitor performance against
All partners are involved in the CHR Training is an important part in making Housing Charter, we work collaboratively the following indicators which evaluate
monitoring group which oversees the sure that the Common Allocations Policy is to monitor our performance. We want to our assessment of applications:
management of the CHR and Common implemented effectively and delivers positive continuously improve our service delivery and
Allocations Policy. outcomes for customers. We, therefore, • time taken to process an
implementation of the Common Allocations
provide ongoing training for staff. This application;
Policy.
This group meets on a quarterly basis. The includes training on:
objectives of the group are: • number of applicants reviewed
• housing options; Quality Assurance 13.1 and removed from the list;
• to monitor performance against
the Scottish Social Housing Charter • housing legislation and good practice; We use a quality assurance system to make • number of applicants suspended
including group and grounds for
indicators Annual Letting Plan sure we provide an efficient and consistent
• Common Allocations Policy and suspension;
proportions and the objectives and procedures; service to our applicants and assess their
outcomes of the CAP; applications accurately, fully reflecting their • number of applicants who have
• information technology systems; housing needs. Every month we: chosen to defer their application;
• to oversee service delivery and
implement new ways of working such • other relevant legislation such as • carry out a 10% random audit of new • number of appeals made,
as housing options; equality law; housing applications to make sure we including the outcomes;
have carried out assessments in line
• to make strategic decisions following • skills development, for example, • number of complaints received,
with our policy, performance standards
consultation with all stakeholders; conducting effective interviews. including the outcomes.
and legal requirements;
• to make recommendations/ We monitor and identify the need for • Outcomes
• report on the number of complaints,
decisions on procedural change and staff training by developing training We will monitor performance against
appeals and outcomes.
development. plans, by performing staff appraisals the following indicators which assess
and by implementing staff development the outcomes achieved by housing
programmes that link training to job and Performance Management 13.2 applicants:
personal development needs. This ensures • number of applications in each
We will review our performance in managing
that our approach to training contributes group;
the CAP and CHR and report regularly to the
to continuous improvement in the way we
senior management teams of all the partners
deliver our services. • number of lets to applicants by
and the CHR Monitoring Group using the group against proportion;
following monitoring reports:
• time taken to offer housing
• Access to the CHR to applicants in Strategic and
We will monitor performance against Homelessness group;
the following indicators which assess
admission to the Common Housing • number of offers accepted and
Register: refused, by group and reason for
refusal;
• number of new applications
received; • number of applicants nominated
to a registered social housing
• number of new applications landlord and re-housed and,
registered; reasons for refusing a nomination;
• time taken to register an • number of applicants re-housed
application; through a mutual exchange;
• number of new applications by • number of applicants under-
ethnicity, gender, disability, age, occupying by one or two
religion/belief, sexual orientation. bedrooms who are re-housed;
• number and reason for bypassing
an applicant for an offer of
housing.
13 Quality Assurance and Performance
Management (continued) Appendix 1 - Group Plus Points System
Review of the Common 13.3 Group Points Allocation

Allocations Policy Priority
We will also use a variety of methods to 1 Strategic Need
review the content of this policy, as well as This group is designed to meet urgent or exceptional housing Applications 10%
the information provided in our leaflets and need as quickly and successfully as possible. Refer to Section will be held
on our website. 6 for more details. according to
In particular, we will: the date of
This group includes applicants who are:
decision to
• obtain feedback about the quality of • looked after and accommodated children; place them in
information and service provided; this allocations
• foster/kinship carers whose current property is group.
• review the content of all of our unsuitable for reasons relating to their caring
publications and correspondence to responsibilities;
ensure that it is accurate, up-to-date
and written in plain language. • people at risk of/experiencing domestic abuse;
• people at risk of/experiencing serious harassment
We will use the outcomes from our
including harassment of a racial, religious or sexual
assessment and customer feedback to
nature or which is based on someone’s gender,
improve our service and working practices.
sexuality or disability;
We will review this policy every three years,
• people moving on from supported accommodation;
or earlier if required in light of changes in the
law or good practice guidance. • served with a Closing Order;
• staying in adaptive housing and no longer require it;
• armed forces personnel leaving full-time regular
service;
• people who require to leave home as a result of
regeneration activity;
• witness protection cases;
• people who are ready to leave hospital but cannot
as they don’t have suitable accommodation (delayed
discharge)
• in exceptional circumstances.
2 Homelessness
This group is designed to enable the partners to respond to These 50%
homelessness. For more details about this group refer to applications
Section 6. Applicants in this group must be assessed by the are held in
Council as: date order
because of the
• threatened with homelessness; exceptionally
• unintentionally homeless (under Part II of the Housing urgent
(Scotland) Act 1987 and 2001 Act). circumstances
involved.
Applications
31 will be held
according to
the date of
their homeless
presentation.
Appendix 1 - Group Plus Points System
(continued)
Group Points Allocation Group Points Allocation

Priority Priority
3 Transfer Applicants 3 Transfer Applicants (continued)
(Tenants of the three housing providers living in Perth and These 24% Overcrowded
Kinross who apply to move to an alternative property). applications overall This group is designed to provide points if you are living in
will be held accommodation that is not large enough for the people living
in order of with you.
the number
You will receive points based on the information in your
of points
application. Refer to Section 6 for more information.
awarded.
You will receive points if you need:
Medical
You can receive these points if: • 3 extra rooms; 150
• you have difficulty with mobility; and/or • 2 extra rooms; 100
• you have a serious long-term or terminal health • 1 extra room; or 50
problem; and/or
• a bedspace (have a single bedroom but requires a 25
• your health problems are being made worse by your double bedroom).
current housing situation which could be alleviated or
managed more effectively by being rehoused. Under-Occupying
This group provides points to you if you are living in
There are three levels of medical points: accommodation with more bedrooms than you require or use.
• High 150 You will receive points based on the information within your
You have an urgent need for housing and your medical application form. Refer to Section 6 for more details.
condition is being severely affected or made worse by
your current accommodation and you are: You will receive points if you have:
• unable to return home from hospital as your • 2 rooms too many; or 200
home does not meet your medical needs; or • 1 bedroom too many. 100
• urgent housing to prevent admission to hospital, Providing or Receiving Help to Live Independently
residential care, nursing home; or You can receive points in this group if you or a member of
• unable to access any of the facilities in your home; your household need to move home for one of the following
or reasons:
• having extreme difficulty getting in and out of • to receive help - for example, you need to move to be 10
your home due to steps or slopes leading to your closer to your carer or family;
doorway; or • to provide help to somebody else - for example, you 10
• having extreme difficulty moving around your want to move to be near somebody you are going to
home. help live independently.
• Medium 100 No Housing Need

You have serious health or mobility issues and your This group is for those applicants that have no housing need.
home seriously affects your daily activities. Re- Refer to Section 6 for more details. This covers:
housing would alleviate your health or mobility
• those with no housing need or those merely aspiring to 0
difficulties and/or improve your quality of life.
move to alternative housing.
• Low 50
You have less serious health or mobility difficulties and
your home hinders daily activities. Re-housing would
alleviate your health or mobility problems and/or
improve your quality of life.
(continued)
Group Points Allocation Group Points Allocation

Priority Priority
4 Housing Waiting List Applicants 4 Housing Waiting List Applicants (continued)
(All other housing applicants who do not qualify in one of the These 16% Overcrowded
three groups above). applications overall This group is designed to provide points if you are living in
will be held accommodation that is not large enough for the people living
in order of with you.
the number
You will receive points based on the information in your
of points
application. Refer to Section 6 for more information.
awarded.
You will receive points if you need:
Medical
You can receive these points if: • 3 extra rooms; 150
• you have difficulty with mobility; and/or • 2 extra rooms; 100
• you have a serious long-term or terminal health • 1 extra room; or 50
problem; and/or
• a bedspace (have a single bedroom but requires a 25
• your health problems are being made worse by your double bedroom).
current housing situation which could be alleviated or
managed more effectively by being rehoused. Below Tolerable Standard
You will receive points from the group if your home or caravan
There are three levels of medical points: is in poor condition and does not meet the tolerable standard.
Refer to Section 6 for more information.
• High 150
You have an urgent need for housing and your medical If you tell us that there are problems with the condition of
condition is being severely affected or made worse by your home or caravan we will ask the Council’s Environmental
your current accommodation and you are: Services or will contact the local authority you are living in to
ask for an Officer to inspect your home or caravan to see if it
• unable to return home from hospital as your
has any of the following problems:
home does not meet your medical needs; or
• structural problems; 40
• urgent housing to prevent admission to hospital,
residential care, nursing home; or • severe rising or penetrating damp or water
penetration;
• unable to access any of the facilities in your home;
or • unsatisfactory natural and artificial lighting, for
ventilation and for heating;
• having extreme difficulty getting in and out of
your home due to steps or slopes leading to your • unsatisfactory thermal insulation;
doorway; or
• no adequate piped supply of both hot and cold water
• having extreme difficulty moving around your within the house;
home.
• no inside toilet for the exclusive use of people living in
• Medium 100 the house;
You have serious health or mobility issues and your
home seriously affects your daily activities. Re- • no fixed bath or shower and wash-hand basin, with hot
housing would alleviate your health or mobility and cold water;
difficulties and/or improve your quality of life. • no effective system for the drainage and disposal of
• Low 50 foul and surface water;
You have less serious health or mobility difficulties and • unsatisfactory or unsafe electricity supply;
your home hinders daily activities. Re-housing would
alleviate your health or mobility problems and/or • unsatisfactory facilities for the cooking of food;
improve your quality of life. • unsatisfactory access to external doors and
outbuildings.
(continued) Appendix 2 - Contact Details
Group Points Allocation Partners Contact Details

Priority
Perth & Kinross Council Housing Options Team
4 Housing Waiting List Applicants (continued) Housing & Environment
Perth & Kinross Council
Insecure Housing
Pullar House
You can receive points from this group if you do not have
35 Kinnoull Street
secure accommodation or are threatened with homelessness
PERTH
in the next 3 months. Refer to Section 6 for more
PH1 5GD
information.
Tel 01738 476000
You will receive points if:
Email housingoptionsandsupport@pkc.gov.uk
• you live in private rented accommodation and your 100 Website www.pkc.gov.uk
lease has expired or you have been served with a
Caledonia Housing 5 South St John’s Place
notice to quit by your landlord through no fault of your
Association PERTH
own;
PH1 5SU
• you are in a relationship that has broken down and you 80
Tel 01738 441088
are unable to remain in the home;
Email customerservices@caledoniaha.co.uk
• long-term sofa-surfer (no bedroom available); 60 Website www.caledoniaha.co.uk
• you have no settled address and/or living at a ‘care of’ 40 Fairfield Housing 5 Fairfield Avenue
address with a bedroom available; Association PERTH
PH1 2TF
• you live in a caravan but have access to facilities that 20
are not below tolerable standard; Tel 01738 630738
• you live in tied accommodation and your employer 20 Hillcrest Homes 55 Huntingtower Road
has told you that you will have to leave your PERTH
accommodation within the next 6 months (for example, PH1 2LH
as a result of retirement or redundancy); Tel 0300 123 2640
Only one set of points can be awarded in this group. Email customerservice@hillcrest.org.uk
Website www.hillcrest.org.uk
Providing or Receiving Help to Live Independently
You can receive points in this group if you or a member of Kingdom Housing Association Saltire Centre
your household need to move home for one of the following Pentland Court
reasons: Glenrothes
KY6 2DA
• to receive help - for example, you need to move to be 10
Tel 01592 630922
closer to your carer or family;
Email customerservices@kingdomhousing.org.uk
• to provide help to somebody else - for example, you 10 Website www.kingdomhousing.org.uk
want to move to be near somebody you are going to Facebook facebook.com/KingdomHousingAssociation
help live independently.
No Housing Need Locality Teams Contact Details

This group is for those applicants that have no housing need.
Perth City Housing & Environment
Refer to Section 6 for more details.
Areas covered:
This covers: Pullar House
Bridgend, City Centre, Craigie, Errol, Friarton, 35 Kinnoull Street
• those with no housing need or those merely aspiring to 0 Glencarse, Inchture, Invergowrie, Leetown, PERTH
move to alternative housing. Longforgan, Moncrieffe, Muirton, North Muirton, PH1 5GD
37 Scone, Rae Place, Stanley Crescent, Florence
Tel 01738 476000 Option 2
Place, Balhousie Street, Dunkeld Road.
Email CityCentralHousing@pkc.gov.uk
Appendix 2 - Contact Details (continued)
Locality Teams Contact Details

Letham Housing & Environment
Areas covered:
Marlee Road
Letham, Hillyland, Double Dykes and Fairfield. PERTH
PH1 2HL
Tel 01738 476000 Option 2
Email LethamHousing@pkc.gov.uk
Blairgowrie Housing & Environment
Areas covered:
46 Leslie Street
Alyth, Kirkmichael, New Alyth, Meigle, Rattray, BLAIRGOWRIE
Blairgowrie, Carsie, Murthly, Caputh, Spittalfield, PH10 6AW
Forneth, Meikleour, Stanley, Luncarty, Coupar
Tel 01738 476000 Option 2
Angus, Balbeggie, Burrelton, Kinrossie, Saucher,
Email NorthAreaTeam@pkc.gov.uk
Collace, Guildtown, Wolfhill.
Pitlochry Housing & Environment
Areas covered:
26 Atholl Road
Bankfoot, Aberfeldy, Ballinluig, Grandtully, Blair PITLOCHRY
Atholl, Dunkeld, Birnam, Kenmore, Fearnan, PH16 5BX
Acharn, Glenlyon, Kinloch Rannoch, Pitlochry,
Tel 01738 476000 Option 2
Killiecrankie, Dull, Weem.
Email NorthAreaTeam@pkc.gov.uk
Crieff Housing & Environment
Areas covered:
32 James Square
Crieff, Aberuthven, Madderty, Comrie, CRIEFF
Aberargie, Almondbank, Pitcairngreen, PH7 3EY
Auchterarder, Gilmerton, Blackford, Methven,
Tel 01738 476000 Option 2
Braco, Muthill.
Email SouthAreaTeam@pkc.gov.uk
Kinross Housing & Environment
Areas covered:
Loch Leven Community Campus
Kinross, Cleish, Blairingone, Powmill, Crook of Muirs
Devon, Milnathort, Scotlandwell, Kinesswood, KINROSS
Glenfarg, Bridge of Earn, Dunning, Abernethy KY13 8FQ
and Forgandenny.
Tel 01738 476000 Option 2
Email SouthAreaTeam@pkc.gov.uk You can also send us a text message on 07824 498145.
All Council Services can offer a telephone translation facility.
www.pkc.gov.uk (PKC Design Team - 2020372)

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Perth and Kinross

Common Allocations Policy

12 Managing the CHR and the Common Allocations Policy 30

13 Quality Assurance and Performance Management 31

Appendix 1: Group Plus Points System 33

Appendix 2: Contact Details 39

When we contact you about an offer of

• Stage 2 Ombudsman. • how easy we make it for you to apply

Review of the Common 13.3 Group Points Allocation

Group Points Allocation Group Points Allocation

• Medium 100 No Housing Need

Group Points Allocation Group Points Allocation

Group Points Allocation Partners Contact Details

No Housing Need Locality Teams Contact Details

Locality Teams Contact Details

All Council Services can offer a telephone translation facility.

www.pkc.gov.uk (PKC Design Team - 2020372)

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