Consultation under way on 'no access' policy for council housing tenants
A No Access policy, which would allow Moray Council to access council tenants’ homes to make sure they meet minimum safety requirements, is out for public consultation.
In response to the Grenfell Tower disaster, the Scottish Government has amended the minimum legal standard for smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors for social housing, bringing it in line with the privately-rented sector.
However, there are cases when Moray Council has been unable to access to council properties, or has been refused entry. This leaves the council at risk of not meeting its statutory obligations, and tenants then can’t benefit from safety checks or upgrades to their homes.
The policy explains how the council deals with no-access situations, using an escalation process to arrange appointments, gain entry and carry out the necessary work. It reinforces that support and assistance will be provided in special circumstances, and explains that when entry is repeatedly refused, and as a last resort, the council will use its legal right to force entry to the property, giving 24-hours notice in writing.
Comments can be made on the policy until 24 March, and a final policy will be reported to Moray Council’s Communities Committee on 28 April, with the policy expected to take effect from 1 May.
The policy and a survey are available on Moray Council’s website: www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_132237.html.
Chair of Moray Council’s Communities Committee, Cllr Louise Laing, said despite the number of access refusals being minimal, it was important to have established measures in place.
“It’s vital that we can access properties to ensure we’re providing the safest homes for our residents and we meet our statutory obligations as a landlord. Aside from the safety element, we’re offering upgrades to many of our tenants and we want them to benefit from this investment.”