Welcome to the Autumn/Winter 2024 edition of our Tenant Talk Newsletter.

This newsletter focuses on current issues relating to private sector housing, which we hope you find useful and informative.

The Private Sector Advice Team continue to offer support and guidance on a number of issues that are faced by homeowners, landlords and tenants in North Ayrshire. We recognise the important role that the private rented sector plays in helping to meet local housing need and want to support and encourage private landlords in providing safe, well-equipped and affordable housing for rent.

We have a dedicated Private Sector Advice Team as well as a telephone advice line.

• Telephone: 01294 324644
• Email: psadvice@north-ayrshire.gov.uk

Hours of operation are:

• Monday to Thursday - 9am to 16:45pm
• Friday - 9am to 16.30pm

We work with a range of teams to provide you with the best service possible.

We offer advice to anyone living with, or affected by, private sector housing issues, including:

• rights and responsibilities
• property condition
• common repairs
• landlord registration
• disability adaptations
• resolving disputes
• energy efficiency
• empty homes

Information on property standards and the rights and responsibilities of private tenants can be found in our Private Tenant Checklist

The Housing Services Private Sector Team are responsible for carrying out Tolerable Standard inspections, which is a statutory duty. Referrals come from a variety of sources including various Council departments, self referrals and from external agencies such as the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service.

The Tolerable Standard is a basic level of repair that a property must meet to make it fit for a person to live in. The team also assess against the Repairing Standard (the minimum level of repair for a private rented property) if carrying out an inspection within a private let.

Officers within the Team may also carry out general compliance inspections to check against the Tolerable and Repairing Standards as well as other landlord obligations in private rented accommodation. These inspections can be random or may be targeted to an area. They could also be as part of investigations in the practices of a particular landlord if concerns have been brought to the attention of the Team.

If any issues of disrepair are identified during these inspections, a report will be sent to the landlord with a 30 working day timescale to resolve the issues. If after this time the landlord has not provided any evidence to suggest the works are complete, a referral may be made to the Licensing Team with view to the case being heard at a future Licensing Committee. Referrals to the Housing and Property Chamber, First Tier Tribunal can also be made at any time where concerns have been raised over, for example, repairing standard issues or tenancy deposits not lodged.

An empty home is a property which has been unoccupied for 6 months or more. It is not a second home or a holiday home. According to Council Tax records there are over 900 empty properties in North Ayrshire. Approximately 500 of these are classed as long term empty.

There are two main options when it comes to bringing empty properties back into use – renting or selling. Doing nothing is not an option.

Brief details on advice and information available have been outlined below.

• Becoming a landlord - Landlord registration, tenancy deposits, rights and responsibilities as a landlord
• Using an agent - Letting agent registration, fees, agreed service
• Minimum property standards - Repairing and tolerable standards, other landlord obligations
• Pre-tenancy service - Property inspections, advice on tenancy agreements

• Main routes for selling - Open market, auction
• Council Buy Back - The Council may be able to buy your property and add it to Council stock
• NAC Matchmaker Scheme - Matches owners of empty properties with property investors

• Empty Homes Loan - Interest free loans from the Council
• Empty homes supplier - Secured through the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership discounts available on kitchens to building supplies, pest control and much more
• Empty property VAT - Depending on length of time property has been empty reduced VAT rates of 5% to 0% may be available
• Energy Efficiency - Home Energy Scotland

The Scheme is a method of introducing empty homeowners to interested investors. It operates as a “dating agency” for empty homes. It aims to match empty home owners who wish to sell their property to people who may be considering buying a property in their area.

North Ayrshire will not share your details publicly. Information would only be shared with interested buyers or sellers where you have given us consent. We do not act as an estate agent but can help you potentially “match” with an interested investor.

The Empty Homes Officer will arrange a visit if you are interested in the Scheme and will give you information and advice on how to bring your property back into use.

If you would like more information on the Scheme or Empty Homes assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

In 2019, A Pre-Tenancy Support Service for landlords was introduced, to provide free property inspections and tenancy agreement advice, which acts as a preventative approach to future property condition issues.

This Scheme is designed to help landlords get the best from their properties and make sure that they comply with the necessary legislation.

We can:

• Carry out a pre-tenancy Repairing and Tolerable Standard inspection
• Give advice on what safety certificates you need
• Signpost you to standard tenancy agreement templates
• Give you information on how to find the right tenant for you
• Answer questions on what you need to do when setting up a new tenancy

For more information, email psadvice@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.

A missing share is where the majority of owners in a tenement agree to a common plan of works however one owner is unwilling or unable to pay their share. This new policy will allow North Ayrshire Council (under certain conditions) to pay the missing amount and recharge the missing owner. More information is available on our private tenant and homeowner advice page.

Across Scotland, all councils including North Ayrshire are facing the most challenging financial climate since it was created almost 30 years ago.

Every year, we set a budget for the year ahead. We have to make sure our budget is balanced and that we only spend the money we know we have.

However, the money we receive from Council Tax and grant funding isn’t keeping pace with the rising costs of the services we provide. At the same time, demand for our services continues to increase.

Over the past eight years, we have cut more than £84 million from our budget. Despite that, the 2025 to 2026 budget is likely to be the most difficult we have ever experienced.

We expect to have a budget gap of at least £16 million. That means there will be painful choices ahead. Decisions will have to be made which will be unpopular but unfortunately necessary.

There are no easy answers or ways to trim the budget without having a significant impact on our services or the way we deliver them.

Given the scale of the financial challenge, a series of areas have been identified for community engagement, including community facilities and car parking, waste services, schools and related services for children and young people, and taxes and levies.

Prior to any decisions being made, it is important you tell us what kind of impact these would have on you and the community in which you live.

Your answers will provide important feedback as we consider what savings we make.

We have a number of working groups with spaces for tenant representation. These groups provide an opportunity to work together on the development of our services.

If you'd like to join one or more of the following groups, please get in touch.

• Tenant events
• Major works
• Communication
• Value for money
• Housing support

You can contact the Tenant Participation Team by email tenantparticipation@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.

Carers Gateway North Ayrshire provides tailored support and respite opportunities to carers of all ages across North Ayrshire. Our mission is to empower carers by putting them at the heart of everything we do in a way that works for them. We support Young Carers aged 5 to 18, Young Adult Carers 18 to 25, and Adult Carers over 25 with no upper age limit. All carers can access free advice on their rights, connect to local services, and receive one-to-one assistance in developing their own support plans.

Our personalised services include:

• group activities tailored to carers' needs and interests, building peer support
• short breaks, trips, and residential experiences providing valuable respite
• information workshops on topics like carers’ rights, wellbeing, and accessing support
• creative projects allowing carers to express themselves and share experiences
• peer support programs led by other carers
• advocacy to have carers' voices heard locally and nationally

Everything we offer aims to reduce isolation, develop skills, improve wellbeing, and help carers feel recognised and empowered. We meet carers where they are, evolving services to meet their needs.

In partnership with North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, schools, community groups, and carers themselves, we continually work to identify and engage with underrepresented communities. Our goal is to ensure every carer in North Ayrshire feels supported through Carers Gateway North Ayrshire.

We have an online help and advice portal where carers and their families can access help, support and information on a wide range of topics that are important to them and they can even register with North Ayrshire Carers Gateway at the touch of a button.

Do you look after a family member or friend who needs your support due to illness, disability, mental health, addiction issues or needs extra help as they grow older?

If yes, North Ayrshire Carers Appreciation Card is a new way to help you in your caring role.

The card identifies you as a carer to your doctor, pharmacist and even in school or at university. It also entitles carers of all ages to a growing range of discounts, offers and concessions across North Ayrshire.

Find out more about the benefits of the carers card.

To qualify for a card, you must:

• Live in North Ayrshire
• Be caring for someone within North Ayrshire
• Be registered with North Ayrshire Carers Centre

To apply for your card or for more information please contact:

North Ayrshire Carers Centre, 174 High Street, Irvine, KA12 8AN or call 01294 311333.

Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting your family. It's a weekly payment of £25 that you can get for every child you look after who's under 16 years of age. You'll get the payment every 4 weeks if your application is successful.

Scottish Child Payment is one of the 5 family payments you may be able to get from Social Security Scotland, along with Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods.

You can apply for the payment of £100 every 4 weeks if you:

• get Universal Credit, tax credits or other qualifying benefits
• have a child or children aged under 16

The quickest way to apply is online at Scottish Child Payment under 16 but you can also apply by phone, by post or in person.

If you're disabled or have a long-term health condition you could be eligible for Adult Disability Payment or Child Disability Payment – money to help with the extra costs of being disabled.

Find out more and apply for our disability payments from Benefits Social Security Scotland

You may be entitled to the Warm Home Discount scheme which gives a one-off payment of £150 to those who are potentially struggling to pay their energy bills during the cold winter months. The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October and March.

Warm Home Discount is now open for applications for this winter with some suppliers, most will open in October however Scottish Gas, EDF, So Energy, Octopus and Utility Warehouse are open now.

If you are on disability benefits or have vulnerable people in your home and live in Scotland why not see if they are entitled to the £150 payment, contact your electricity supplier direct to apply and for further information. The number of discounts suppliers can give is limited. Check with your supplier as early as possible.

• EDF Energy Warm Home Discount
• Scottish Gas warm home discount
• Utility Warehouse warm home discount
• Octopus apply through your Octopus account
• So Energy apply through your online account

To find out if your eligible and how to apply, please see the Government warm home scheme.

We provide free, practical, and impartial advice. Our mission is to connect advice and information with the people who need it.

Advice on employment, housing, benefits, family & relationships and neighbourhood issues. They can also make applications to the Home Heating Support Fund for you.

• Advice website
• 0808 800 9060 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Energy advice, including information on finding an energy supplier, billing, energy meters and much more.

• Energy advice website
• 0808 196 8660 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Information and support on a wide range of money and debt-related issues.

• Money advice website
• 0808 196 2316 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Specialist advice on a range of consumer issues, including purchases, problems with good and services, travel and transport, contractual issues, and scams.

• Consumer advice website
• 0808 164 6000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Advice on Royal Mail enquiries, related to the post.

• Postal advice website
• 0808 196 8660 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

More information on the services provided is available on Advice Direct Scotland's website.

Advice Direct Scotland provide advice on many areas including energy advice. The Home Heating Support Fund is a fund paid for by the Scottish Government to help people who are self-rationing or self-limiting their fuel use due to their financial situation or due to debt.

Older people (over retirement age) are potentially missing out on Attendance Allowance when they have a diagnosis of Dementia. If they're missing out on Attendance Allowance then they may also be missing out on a Council Tax Exemption because they are deemed to have a Severe Mental Impairment (which could mean they'd have no Council Tax to pay if they live alone or a reduction in Council Tax if they live with their partner).

If you're worried that someone you care for, a family member or someone you're working with is missing out then please get a benefit check.

Alternatively, you can go on the UK Government website to check eligibility and claim Attendance Allowance.

North Ayrshire Council operate an emergency support fund to help those struggling with energy bills. This means low-income households can apply for a one-off payment to help meet the cost of energy bills. If you are having financial difficulty, you may be eligible for support.

You can apply directly online on the North Ayrshire Council benefits portal.

Universal Credit is a DWP benefit, it is designed to provide people of ‘working age’ (aged under 66) with a minimum amount of money for day to day living and to help them with their rent payments. It was introduced as a replacement for six, so called, ‘legacy benefits’ on the understanding that having only one benefit (instead of six) would ‘simplify’ at least part of the benefit system.

The challenge has been how to move the millions of existing claimants of ‘legacy benefits’ on to Universal Credit. A system of ‘natural migration’ and ‘managed migration’ have been introduced to accomplish this task.

Under ‘natural migration’ people who have historically been getting ‘legacy benefits’ have been required to apply for Universal Credit upon a relevant change to their circumstances. Whereas, under ‘managed migration’ the DWP will be writing to people inviting them to make the switch.

We know from DWP that ‘managed migration’ will start to impact on households in North Ayrshire from November 2023. It will initially impact on those getting Child Tax Credit / Working Tax Credit (without any other ‘legacy benefits’) and other groups of ‘legacy benefit(s)’ claimants as we move towards 2024/2025.

The process of ‘managed migration’ will start by a person being sent a ‘migration notice’. They will then have 3 months in which to apply for Universal Credit. If they fail to do so, then their ‘legacy benefit’ entitlement will end, and they will not be entitled to Universal Credit. They can however claim Universal Credit later, but they will not ordinarily be able to benefit from the two-week run on and they will not be able to qualify for any ‘transitional element’.

Legacy Benefits are;

• Income-based JSA
• Income-related ESA
• Income Support
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit

The following are not ‘legacy benefits’:

• Personal Independence Payment
• Disability Living Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Child Benefit
• Guardian’s Allowance
• Council Tax Support

Due to the qualification of the transitional element in managed migration many claimants may think they have no entitlement however this additional amount results in a payment so its important to make the claim if invited to do so.

If you apply for Universal Credit:

• any other legacy benefits you're getting will end
• you won't be able to go back to any of the legacy benefits in the future - even if you’re appealing a benefit decision

If you have a choice between staying on your old benefits and claiming Universal Credit, talk to an adviser. They can help you work out how much you’d get on Universal Credit.

If the letter gives a deadline for you to claim Universal Credit, it’s a ‘migration notice’. The deadline should be at least 3 months after the date the notice was sent.

You should claim Universal Credit by the deadline on the letter.

Your old benefits will stop after the deadline. If you claim Universal Credit before the deadline, the DWP might pay you extra to stop you being worse off. This is called ‘transitional protection’.

This means that if you’d get less on Universal Credit than your old benefits, you’ll get an extra amount to make up the difference. The DWP will reduce the extra amount over time - so you’ll eventually just get what you normally would on Universal Credit.

Transitional protection also means you might be able to get Universal Credit when you wouldn’t usually be entitled to it. If you:

• are a full-time student who wouldn’t usually get Universal Credit, you can usually get it until the end of your course
• get tax credits and have over £16,000 savings, you can get Universal Credit for up to a year

If the deadline hasn’t passed yet, you can ask the DWP to extend it. You can only ask for this before the original deadline in the letter. If the DWP agree, they’ll send you a new deadline.

If the deadline has passed, you can still get transitional protection if you claim Universal Credit up to a month after the deadline. The end of the month is called the ‘final deadline’.

If you claim after the final deadline, you can still claim Universal Credit - but you can’t get the transitional protection.

If you claim Universal Credit, you’ll usually get one payment each month and you usually have to manage your claim online.

It will usually take 5 weeks to get your first Universal Credit payment - but it could take longer.

Your old benefits might stop before your Universal Credit starts. When they stop depends on which benefits you get, and when you claim Universal Credit.

If you claim before the deadline from the DWP:

• tax credits stop the day before you claim Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit, income-based JSA, income-related ESA and Income Support stop 2 weeks after you claim Universal Credit

If you claim Universal Credit after the deadline from the DWP:

• tax credits stop the day before the deadline from the DWP
• Housing Benefit, income-based JSA, income-related ESA and Income Support stop 2 weeks after the deadline from the DWP

You’ll only get the extra 2-week payments if you’re still eligible for the benefit. You won’t need to pay back the extra payments and they won’t affect how much Universal Credit you’ll get.

If you won’t have enough money to live on while you wait for your first Universal Credit payment, you can ask for an advance payment. The advance payment is a loan - you’ll have to pay it back.

The Factoring Team are responsible for managing repairs to common parts of a block where there are a mix of private owners and at least one property owned by the Council. A number of elements of a building may be required as being common however ultimately, this generally comes down to the provisions which are set out in your Title Deeds.

Some of the most common shared elements of a block are:

• Containing walls
• The roof above the block
• Gutters and roof lines
• Communal entry doors and secure entry systems
• Entrance & access paths
• Rainwater goods such as downpipes

This list is not exhaustive and we would urge you to consider checking your Title Deeds if you are unsure whether or not a part is shared by multiple properties. Alternatively, please contact the Factoring Team and we will be happy to assist you where possible.

Different seasons can result in different works being required, and particularly as we approach the winter months, there are certain issues that all residents should be mindful of.

With the onset of colder weather, wind and rain here are some of the most frequent issues which you should be vigilant for.

Routine maintenance of your home and of common parts can help to minimise the likelihood of these issues occurring.

• Water ingress through the roof and/or chimney (where applicable)
• Missing and/or slipped roof tiles
• Gutter blockages and leaks
• Drainage issues
• Dampness & Condensation within the home

Whilst this list is not exhaustive, it aims to provide some issues to look out for. There is no catch all answer for each of these potential problems, however, there are often straightforward solutions which will allow your home, and common parts, to remain wind and watertight.

Some practical solutions which may prevent problems from worsening are:

• Report any issues as soon as you see them – early action is essential
• Ensure regular maintenance is carried out such as gutter cleaning
• Brush away any fallen leaves from drain outlets to prevent blockages
• Make sure your home is ventilated to prevent a build-up of moisture
• Regularly check for any hairline cracks or damages to the external walls

If you encounter any of these issues or require advice and assistance, please contact the Factoring Team on factoring@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or 01294 324966 and we will be happy to discuss these with you.

CHAP (Community Housing Advocacy Project)

Help with Housing, Welfare and Money advice

Book appointment on 0300 020002

From 9am to 4.45pm

CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau – Renfrew)

Help with Debt Advice

Book appointment on 0800 0281456

From 8.30am to 1pm

CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau – East Ayrshire)

Help with Income Maximisation/Benefits

Book appointment on 01563 543379

From 9am to 4.45pm

The new guidance prepared by the Scottish Government in relation to the Repairing Standard under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 takes effect from 1 March 2024. One area that has caused some concern amongst landlords is the issue of lead in drinking water and what their responsibilities are. The main cause of lead in drinking water is lead pipes leading up to or within a house. The use of lead pipes is more common in houses built before 1970 unless they have had their pipes replaced. The guidance can be found here with paragraphs D18 to D27 relating to lead in the water supply.

Water quality regulations set a maximum permitted level of lead in drinking water at 10 micrograms per litre of water. However, a new standard of 5 micrograms per litre of water will be required to be met by 2036. It should be noted that the World Health Organisation’s view is that there is no safe level for lead in drinking water.

Lead pipes, lead lined storage tanks or lead fittings should not be present in the water supply of any private rented property. That applies from the boundary stopcock to the kitchen tap.

That means:

• all drinking water outlets
• all pipework to those drinking water outlets
• any water storage tanks within the property itself
• any water storage tanks in attic or roof space (including any common water tanks)

Unless a landlord is unable to replace pipes or other fittings, due to lack of consent from other owners for example in a tenement property, all lead pipes or lead lined tanks must be removed in order to comply with the Repairing Standard. Landlords are required to take reasonable steps (and demonstrate they have taken those steps if necessary) to get such rights or consent, but a landlord will not be at fault if they do not get consent despite taking these steps.

Private landlords should check (preferably by a suitably qualified/approved plumbing contractor) any visible pipework within the house for the presence of lead pipes. Just because there are no lead pipes visible does not mean that there is no lead in the drinking water. Sources of lead could include hidden pipes, lead solder, lead lined water tanks, and underground lead pipes to the house from the boundary stopcock.

If a landlord is unsure whether there are lead pipes or is aware that there may be a risk (for example with an older property which has not had its water pipes replaced), tenants must be informed of that, and the water supply tested by way of laboratory analysis. Water should be tested at all outlets where water may be consumed as lead may be present anywhere in the property's plumbing.

The guidance states that the water supply should be tested at all outlets where water may be consumed. This means cold taps at the kitchen sink, baths, basins as well as any sink within a utility room. You do not need to test outside taps (unless there is a particular risk, they would be used for drinking water) or any hot taps. If there are mixer taps, they should be tested using the cold-water setting.

If the property is connected to the public water supply and you suspect lead might be present, you can request Scottish Water test the water free of charge. This will be done at the cold tap at the point of entry to the property (in most properties this will be the kitchen sink). If lead is found to be present, Scottish Water will undertake an investigation free of charge and replace any sections of lead in its part of the service pipe between the water main in the street and the boundary stopcock. Various local authorities as well as private laboratories can also carry out testing for a fee to test elsewhere within the property.

For properties connected to a private water supply, you can contact the local authority environmental health team for advice on sampling and possible charges.

If a landlord is uncertain whether there are lead pipes, or is aware of a risk, tenants must be informed, and a water sample must be taken for laboratory analysis. Water should be tested at all outlets where water may be consumed as lead may be present anywhere in the building's plumbing.

If tests show that the lead content is at or above 3 micrograms per litre, this indicates that there is some lead present in the plumbing. Any tenants must be informed immediately, and you should identify and replace any lead pipework within the property that is not the responsibility of Scottish Water. Once pipework is replaced, the water should be retested.

Short-term precautionary advice to tenants should also be given such as not drinking water that has been standing in pipes for long periods (e.g. overnight or if no-one has been in for several hours), and drawing off a washing-up bowl of water to clear any water which has been standing in the pipes before using it for drinking or cooking.

If you require any further information or advice, please contact us or watch our blogs for further updates.

The Scottish Government has published guidance describing all the elements of the Repairing Standard which private landlords are required to comply with. The aim of the guidance is to equip private landlords with a full picture of what they should be working towards to ensure compliance with all the Repairing Standard elements.

The following new measures will be in place from 1 March 2024:

1. Safe Kitchens. The repairing standard will be amended to include a requirement to have safely accessible food storage and food preparation space in a private rented house.
2. Fixed Heating System. The existing duty to ensure that installations for the supply of heating are in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order will be amended to specify that there must be a fixed heating system in a private rented house.
3. Safe Access to Common Parts. The existing duty to ensure that the structure and exterior of the house is in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order will be amended to specify that where a private rented house is a flat in a tenement, the tenant must be able to safely access and use any common parts of the tenement, such as common closes.
4. Consent to Work on Common Parts. Section 16 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, which deals with exceptions to the landlord's repairing duty, is amended to make it clear that a private rented house which is a flat in a tenement does not fail the repairing standard if work otherwise needed to comply with the standard cannot be carried out because a majority of owners in the tenement have refused consent to carry out the work.
5. Safe and Secure Common Doors. The existing duty to ensure fire safety in private rented houses will be amended to specify that common doors must be secure and fitted with satisfactory locks. This will be supported by Scottish Government guidance which will specify that locks must allow users to open them from the inside without a key so that they do not inhibit exit in the event of a fire.
6. Residual Current Devices. The existing duty to ensure that installations for the supply of electricity in a private rented house are in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order will be amended to specify that these must include a residual current device (a device to reduce the risk of electrocution and fire by breaking the circuit in the event of a fault).
7. Other Fuels. The existing duty to ensure that installations for the supply of gas and electricity in a private rented house are in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order will be extended to any other type of fuel

Simply put, knowing what to do in a gas emergency could be the difference in losing or saving your property – or even your life.

While this might sound melodramatic, it’s true. Gas safety in the home is incredibly important. Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, and explosions.

A dedicated Gas Safety Week is held every September in the UK, raising awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances, but of course, gas safety is something we need to consider all year round. So, in this tenant guide, you’ll learn just what exactly constitutes a gas emergency, what to do in a gas emergency, and the simple steps you can take to prevent a gas emergency from occurring.

Hopefully, you’ve never been in a gas emergency before. So, it’s important to be able to recognise what actually constitutes an emergency.

Here are some common situations that qualify:

• a smell of gas: If you notice the distinctive odour of gas, often described as like rotten eggs or garlic, there may be a gas leak in your property
• a suspected gas leak: If you suspect a gas leak but can't smell gas, you may notice other signs of a leak. These could include a hissing sound near gas appliances, dead houseplants, or visible damage to gas pipes
• experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning: Symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, headaches, nausea, breathlessness, loss of consciousness, or fatigue. These symptoms generally improve when you leave the property

Now that we have defined the types of gas emergency, you need to know what to do should an emergency arise.

1. Safety first

Safety is your immediate priority in a gas emergency, so follow these precautions:

• Don’t ignite anything: Avoid lighting matches, candles, or cigarettes. Don’t turn on or off any electrical switches, including lights, as this can also generate sparks.
• Ventilate your property: Open doors and windows to allow fresh air into your property, helping to disperse any gas fumes.
• Evacuate: If you suspect a gas leak or experience symptoms of CO poisoning, leave the property immediately, and ensure that all occupants are safely outside. Don’t forget your pets!

2. Isolate the Gas Supply

If it is safe to do so, turn off the gas supply to your property. We strongly recommend locating your gas supply valve in advance, so you know exactly where to go in an emergency. The supply valve is usually found beside your gas meter – turn the valve to the ‘off’ position.

If it is unsafe or you are uncertain about what to do, then leave this step – your safety is your first priority.

Contact the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

In Scotland, you can reach the National Gas Emergency Service immediately by calling the free 24-hour national emergency number, 0800 111 999.

Be ready to provide the following information:

• Your address and postcode
• Details of the gas emergency, including the type of gas involved (natural gas or LPG)
• Any relevant information about the situation

Under no circumstances should you re-enter your property until it has been declared safe by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. They will assess and rectify the issue.

We’re sure you’ll agree, it’s always better to take preventative action than to have to deal with an emergency.

So, here are some proactive steps you can take to minimise the risk of gas emergencies in your rental property:

Ensure that gas detectors and appliances, including boilers, heaters, and stoves, are checked and serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This helps identify and address potential issues before they become emergencies.

Remember that your landlord is not responsible for any gas appliances that you own, so you will need to arrange for your own safety checks and services, too.

Make sure that your engineer is qualified for the type of gas work they are carrying out – check their Gas Safe ID card and the Gas Safe Register website to check. Work carried out by an unqualified or unregistered engineer may be dangerous or even illegal.

Regularly inspect your gas appliances for warning signs of trouble, such as unusual sounds, pilot light issues, sooty marks around appliances, or lazy yellow/orange flames instead of crisp blue flames.

Your landlord should have already installed carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your property, in every room with a gas-burning appliance (including boilers, fires and stoves, but excluding gas cookers) or a flue. The alarms should be sealed, battery-powered detectors.

You are responsible for testing them regularly – let your landlord or property manager immediately know if there are any issues.

There are six main symptoms of CO poisoning to look out for. We mentioned them above, but just in case you’ve already forgotten, these are: headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse, and loss of consciousness.

Know your landlord's responsibilities regarding gas safety. In Scotland, landlords must provide a Gas Safety Certificate, conduct annual gas safety checks, and keep records of these checks.

The impact of a gas emergency could be truly devastating. Staying safe in your rental property is a shared responsibility between you and your landlord, and we really cannot emphasise enough how important it is for you take simple gas safety preventative actions. Prioritising your safety and understanding what to do in a gas emergency will help to protect your property, and your life.

If you’re unsure of anything gas-related in your rental property then chat to your landlord or property manager as soon as you can. You can also contact your local gas engineers for information and advice.

Decision-tree guide to the common repairs process

Organising common repairs in your tenement building is often time consuming, as the process can be difficult to navigate.

Follow the arrows between the boxes to see what you need to do at each step of the repairs process.

We'd recommend a read through the entire decision tree to familiarise yourself with the process and what potential barriers you might need to overcome.

And, just a reminder, this guide refers to repairs that are regarded as maintenance work rather than improvement.

For more information on what counts as maintenance or improvement.

If you have a specific question about tenement management or maintenance and you can't find the answer on our website, contact our free enquiry service.

Getting co-owners to cooperate

Information on common repairs, legal action, and mediation.

If you are faced with owners who refuse to pay their share of common repairs, the law directs you to a number of confrontational solutions. This webinar discusses the reality of using these solutions and some alternatives.

How to set up and run an owners' association

Forming an owners' association has a number of benefits including making organising and paying for repairs easier and giving you the ability to open a maintenance account.

This webinar discusses how to set up a successful owners' association, the benefits, and how you can improve your building, together.

The Novoville Shared Repairs app is a digital solution to managing common repairs. It allows tenement owners to manage repairs collaboratively in one place in the app and includes lots of handy features to make the process easier.

Novoville has also collaborated with several local authorities in Scotland which enables direct access to your local Trusted Trader Scheme through the app.

Find out more about Novoville on their website.

Our service is designed to answer questions about the management and maintenance of tenement buildings. It is not an advice service, and we cannot give our opinion as fact. Please ensure that you consult with a professional or seek legal help before taking action.

During autumn and winter, tenement buildings and flats often face more common maintenance issues. Keep reading to find out what to look out for to protect your property and maintain its value this winter.

With increasing rainfall, it’s important to stop gutters from becoming blocked and overflowing. If plants, leaves, or bird deposits are blocking a gutter, it can leak and cause damp problems within the walls of a tenement building. Untreated damp can cause decorative and, in some cases, structural damage to your building.

Look out for damp and stains underneath the gutter, which can be the first signs of leaks and overflows. If you can see plants growing out of your gutter, even if they are small, this likely means the gutter is blocked and water is overflowing.

As the winds get colder, it’s recommended to draught-proof windows and doors to stop cold air blowing through. Recognising the tell-tale signs of draughts, such as cracks, gaps, mould, or dampness around windows and doors, is the first step and they can be straightforward to address once identified. You can find DIY sealing tools or thermal curtains at most local hardware stores to address the root causes of draughts. However, if you suspect a more serious issue, it’s recommended to seek professional help. Draught-proofing can also help to reduce your energy bills by keeping your property warmer and making it more energy-efficient through the winter months.

Keeping your property ventilated throughout winter can help to prevent damp and reduce the risk of mould and rot. If there are areas of damp and mould, thorough cleaning is one of the first steps to take to prevent it from spreading further and causing more damage. Dry out affected areas by opening a window, putting the heating on low, or using a dehumidifier. If thorough cleaning and ventilation don’t have an adequate affect, seek further help and advice from a professional damp specialist or speak to your local council.

Check your floors for any signs of damp or rot by looking out for bouncy boards or sloping and uneven surfaces. These may indicate that floorboards could be lacking support or rotting. If this is the case, consult a professional as soon as possible. Solving issues like this early is key in making them easier to fix and ensuring they don’t cause further damage.

To try and avoid burst pipe disasters in winter, it’s crucial to know the location of the stopcock which enables the mains water supply to your flat to be turned off. Encourage your co-owners to identify and be aware of the stopcocks in their flats, especially if they are going to be away during the colder season. You can also post a notice in the close, telling residents where to locate the water key and valve to shut off water for the entire building.

Additionally, insulating any exposed pipes in your building can add a layer of protection and minimise the risk of freezing. Lastly, ensure that all your co-owners have adequate common building insurance. Having the right cover is essential for dealing with any unforeseen water-related incidents effectively.

When a landlord or letting agent files a dispute claim for part or all of a tenant’s deposit, there are six heads of claim that they can file this under for deposits held by tenancy deposit scheme Safe Deposits Scotland: Cleaning, Damage, Gardening, Redecoration, Rent Arrears and Other.

Stances on redecoration of a private rented property will differ between landlords, and details on this should be included in the tenancy agreement. Landlords may sometimes be against redecoration as they want the property to be in the exact same state when a new tenant moves in as it was for the one before, or may have multiple properties and wish for them to share the same consistent look. In some instances the landlord might be okay with a small amount of customisation within the property so long as it can be returned in a similar state to how it started, though in other cases there may be parts of the property that are irreplaceable such as a discontinued wallpaper that the landlord doesn’t want the tenant to replace. Whilst tenants may be tempted to put up seasonal decorations during this Autumn/Winter, they should check that their festive decorations don’t do anything to breach the tenancy agreement.

Cases relating to redecoration can include instances where tenants have made changes to the property without the landlord’s permission, such as painting walls, changing carpets or any other cosmetic change. However, cases involving this head could also relate to mould and other reasons where redecoration on the landlord’s part is needed.

In North Ayrshire, 17% of disputes handled by SafeDeposits Scotland over the last year involved claims for redecoration with an average claim of £178. In comparison, the national average percent of disputes involving redecoration claims across the whole of Scotland was 26% with an average amount of £284, meaning North Ayrshire tends to see less redecoration claims and at a lower average amount than the national average.

The proposed Housing (Scotland) Bill includes the introduction of changes to how redecoration is handled in private rented properties. These amendments aim to loosen restrictions on redecoration and allow tenants more freedom to customise the property. It is believed that this change will see a positive impact on the mental wellbeing of tenants by enabling them to make adjustments to the property so that it feels more like a home – this is particularly important for longer term tenancies where the tenant intends to stay for a long time.

The Bill proposes that tenants can make minor adjustments to the property such as putting up pictures and posters on the walls without the need for approval from the landlord. Additionally, the tenant also has the right to request to make larger changes to the property like repainting walls, and the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse these requests. There are certain cases however where the landlord would have grounds to refuse, such as any alterations that would affect the tenant’s health and safety. Large changes should only be made at least six months after the start of the tenancy.

Requests for changes to property should be made in writing to the landlord so that evidence can be provided in the case of a dispute over redecoration. If the landlord does refuse a modification, this too should be issued in writing to the tenant.

The law on fire alarms changed in February 2022, meaning all Scottish homes are be required to have interlinked alarms.

The legislation has been introduced by the Scottish Government following of the Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017, and it applies to all Scottish homes.

Interlinked means if one goes off, they all go off, and it is the property owner’s responsibility for meeting the new standard.

Guidance and further information can be found via the Scottish Government website.

Every home must have:

• one smoke alarm in the living room or the room you use most
• one smoke alarm in every hallway or landing
• one heat alarm in the kitchen

All smoke and heat alarms should be mounted on the ceiling and be interlinked.

If you have a carbon-fuelled appliance – like a boiler, fire, heater or flue – in any room, you must also have a carbon monoxide detector in that room, but this does not need to be linked to the fire alarms.

It is the property owner’s responsibility for meeting the new standard.

If you are a private tenant, your landlord is responsible.

If you are a council or housing association tenant, work is ongoing to make sure your home meets the new standards.

Elderly or disabled people may be eligible for support to fit interlinked alarms from Care and Repair Scotland. They can be contacted via careandrepairscotland.co.uk or by calling 0141 221 9879.

You can use either sealed battery alarms or mains-wired alarms.

Both types of alarm are interlinked by radio frequency and do not need WiFi.

There is no list of approved suppliers or fitters, however each alarm must comply with the following standards:

• smoke alarms: BS EN14604:2005
• heat alarms: BS 5446-2:2003
• carbon monoxide detector: British Kitemark EN 50291-1

Ensuring firework safety is important. It is vital to take all necessary precautions to prevent any accidents.

Our advice is always to attend an organised public firework display. It's safer and better for the environment.

This page will be updated for details of organised events across Scotland. We strongly encourage anyone who does wish to host a private event to familiarise themselves with our firework code and fire safety guidance.

The firework code should be your first port of call before buying fireworks. By following the code, you can drive down the risk of your domestic display ending in injury.

Sadly, it is often children who are injured by fireworks. Ensure only adults handle fireworks and children watch from a safe distance.

For many Bonfire Night is a time to celebrate, but for others it can be an unpleasant experience.

Please consider your neighbours and animals when using fireworks.

Fireworks can be overwhelming for people with a sensory impairment such as those with neurological differences such as autism.

Animals can also find fireworks particularly distressing.

The Scottish Government has details on the current changes to fireworks law.

It is illegal for the general public to use fireworks before 6pm or after 11pm. This extends to midnight on Bonfire Night and 1am on Hogmanay, Chinese New Year and Diwali.

All fireworks are given a category from 1 to 4. It's illegal for adults to buy or supply fireworks to anyone under the age of 18, except category F1 fireworks. Category F1 fireworks include items such as party poppers, novelty crackers and some sparklers.

Retailers are required to state the category of any firework they sell. Preparing a home fire

It is always safer to attend a organised public display. If it's necessary for you to have a home fireworks display, follow the firework code at all times.

• A closed metal box to store fireworks - take them out one at a time
• A bucket of water - to cool sparklers and put out any small fires
• Eye protection and gloves
• A bucket of earth to stick fireworks in

• Only one person should be responsible for letting off fireworks
• Don't drink alcohol if you are setting off fireworks
• Light fireworks at arm's length, using a taper
• Make sure everyone stands well back
• Never go back to a firework that has been lit - even if it hasn't gone off.

There are two categories of fireworks you can buy to use in your garden, CAT F2 and CAT F3.

The category will be visible on the outside of the box.

• Category F2 fireworks, everyone in your party must stand at least 8 metres away for safety
• Category F3 fireworks, a minimum of 25 metres distance is needed
• Category F4 fireworks are not allowed for private use

• Keep pets indoors as most animals get very scared by the lights and noise from fireworks
• Never put fireworks in your pocket
• Never throw used fireworks on a bonfire

Pupils are helping with the restoration of the Kilwinning Academy Poly Tunnel. Having fallen into a state of disrepair, the pupils have began clearing the debris from inside the tunnel before moving on to the repair of the outer skin to make it weatherproof. Once this is complete then planning will go into what items they will grow as well as the care and maintenance of the tunnel.

Each pupil has fully participated and worked really hard to get this project up and running.

We took a group of S1 pupils out to McGavin Park today to do some litter picking. This is the first week of this initiative with the pupils able to gain their Saltire award for volunteering whilst looking after their community.

Age Scotland's mission is to make Scotland a better place for older people. They have a 24-hour dedicated helpline to support 0800 12 44 222 as well funds for groups and have campaigns on issues that matter to them. They have also produced a factsheet that gives particular fire safety advice.

Need to talk? The Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Helpline is a 24 hour, freephone Scottish service for people with dementia, carers, relatives, professionals, students and anyone concerned about dementia. For more information about Dementia Awareness visit Alzheimer Scotland or freephone 0800 808 3000 or email helpline@alzscot.org.

Be a good citizen and look out for elderly relatives and neighbours over the festive period.

We all know older people who are at risk – it could be a grandmother, aunt, friend or neighbour.

Year on year, the festive and New Year period sees a peak in deaths and injuries resulting from house fires. SFRS offer a free service that can help protect those people most at risk. Many of us know a friend, relative or neighbour, often someone living alone, who could be vulnerable from fire.

Our campaign calls on local people to Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire. You can help us prevent fire deaths and injuries by making sure that you or someone you know gets a Home Fire Safety Visit.

Arranging a Visit is easy:

• call 0800 0731 999
• complete our online form

A Home Fire Safety Visit from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will help make sure your home is as safe as it can be. We'll help you sort out a fire escape plan and provide information about smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms. The process only takes about 20 minutes, and their advice and help could save your life.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are here to serve and protect. Our firefighters will visit anyone at risk from fire at a time that suits, day or night. But we need you to contact us. Tell us about someone at risk before it’s too late.

As adults, we all have a responsibility to keep our eyes and ears open for the signs of abuse in young people.

Children and young people aren’t always able to speak up if they if are experiencing abuse or neglect - or may not even recognize that what is happening to them is abuse or neglect - so it’s up to us all to keep an eye out and be a voice for them if we feel something is not quite right.

It’s always better to say something than to do nothing - even if those concerns turn out to be unfounded.

As well as physical or emotional abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse is also much more common than you might think, with statistics indicating that over 900 children and young people are likely to have been sexually abused in North Ayrshire alone in the past year.

There are many types of sexual abuse, where young people are forced, tricked or tempted into sexual activities, and it doesn’t always involve physical contact.

Any child could be at risk, and it can happen anywhere - in a child’s home or someone else’s home, at clubs or events, online, or anywhere that children and young people socialise and relax and where they should feel safe.

A child or young person is never to blame if they are sexually abused, and it’s important that we talk more about this type of abuse and help to break the taboo so that young people are more likely to confide in someone and get the support they need and deserve.

North Ayrshire Child Protection Committee has launched a new Child Sexual Abuse Strategy, which sets out the actions they will take in order to prevent all types of child sexual abuse in North Ayrshire, to protect those at risk from sexual abuse, and to support those who are experiencing abuse or who have experienced it in the past, with the rights and needs of young people at the heart of the strategy.

To view the North Ayrshire Child Sexual Abuse Strategy, visit Child Protection North Ayrshire Council.

The website also has a free awareness-raising module on child sexual abuse and the aims of the strategy which anyone can take part in, whether you are a student, member of the public or a professional. You can access the module online here.

To report any concerns you may have about the welfare of a child, call North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership on 01294 310300 (office hours), 0800 328 7758 (evening, weekends and public holidays), or call the Police on 101.

If you believe that they may be in immediate danger, please call 999.

The North Ayrshire Child Protection Committee website also has a training section, where you can access child protection modules to learn more.

The Cunninghame Furniture Recycling Centre is a non-profit company based in Irvine. CFRC company offers free uplifts of good quality re-usable furniture.

Play your part in reducing fly tipping and landfill. Book a free collection of your unwanted furniture and mattresses. Collections are Ayrshire wide and can be booked at a time that suits you.

Items must be fit for reuse, and soft furnishings must have a fire safety label.

To book an uplift, complete Cunninghame Furniture Recycling Centre's donation form.

• 1 litre - Water
• 20g - Vegetable Stock Cube
• 200g - Red Lentils
• 200g - Fresh Carrots (mix of diced and grated)
• 30g - Fresh turnip (diced)
• 200g - Fresh onion (Finely chopped)
• Salt & Black pepper

Dissolve Bouillon in boiling water, add washed Lentils to liquid and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally add the freshly prepared diced and grated vegetables, bring to the boil and simmer for a further 30 minutes. Taste and correct seasoning if required. This soup may be liquidised if a smooth texture is required.

• 400g - Fresh chicken
• 40g - Margarine
• 40g - Plain flour
• 200ml - Water
• 200ml - Milk
• 10g - Chicken stock cubes
• 500g - Puffy pastry sheets
• 1 - Egg
• 20ml - Milk

Dissolve the bouillon in hot water to make stock, gently poach the fresh chicken in the stock, retain the cooking liquid for the sauce. Melt the margarine and add the flour, cook until a sandy texture, gradually add the warm milk and the reserved cooking liquid to form a sauce, add the poached chicken, taste, adjust seasoning and consistency as required, place in serving dish and top with puff pastry sheet, glaze puff pastry with a mix of egg and milk. Bake in a hot oven and cook until pastry is golden and a minimum temperature of 82c is reached. Serve.

Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE

• Telephone: 01294 324644
• Email: psadvice@north-ayrshire.gov.uk

Galt House 31 Bank Street, Irvine, KA12 0AD

• Telephone: 01294 314600
• Telephone (out of hours): 0800 019 6500
• Email: housing-info-advice@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
• Homelessness support page

North Ayrshire Council, Housing Services, PO Box 8319, Irvine, KA12 2AL

• Telephone: 01294 314640
• Email: ASBIT@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
• Antisocial behaviour page

4th Floor, 1 Atlantic Quay, 45 Robertson Street, Glasgow, G2 8JB

• Telephone: 0141 3025900
• Email: HPCAdmin@scotcourtstribunals.gov.uk

North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, 3rd Floor (East) Irvine, KA12 8EE

• Telephone: 01294 324808

South West, Watson Peat Building, Ayr, KA6 5HW

• Telephone: 0808 808 2282

Hopetoun Gate, 8b McDonald Road, Edinburgh, EH7 4LZ

• Telephone: 0131 5532211
• Email: info@landlordaccreditationscotland.com

Hopetoun Gate, 8b McDonald Road, Edinburgh, EH7 4LZ

• Telephone: 01315 640100
• Email: info@scottishlandlords.com