Frequently asked questions
In consultation carried out so far staff have reported a good level of awareness of transfer issues among tenants. There would also appear to be a broad understanding that concerns with the housing service had arisen due to the financial restraints faced by the Council, restraints that won’t be passed on to ACHA. Tenants have been widely supportive of plans to improve homes, housing services and to deliver broader community improvements, whilst giving tenants a greater say.
Some of the most commonly asked questions have been:
| Q | The current repairs service isn’t good enough. What will ACHA do to improve this? |
| A | Both the Council and ACHA recognise that the current repairs service could be improved. ACHA has set out details of a new quick response repairs service that will be established to improve both efficiency and quality of repairs. This new service will include Tenants Satisfaction forms for all repairs – if tenants are not happy with the repair, ACHA will inspect it and the contractor will not be paid until the job has been done to the satisfaction of ACHA. |
| Q | Will my current rights be protected? |
| A | Your current rights, including the right to buy your current home with discount will not be affected by transfer. You will also keep your Scottish Secure Tenancy. |
| Q | ACHA’s plans sound great but do they mean that my rent will go through the roof? |
| A | ACHA’s promise on rent increases, as set out in its 30-year Business Plan, is a rent guarantee for the first five years of the transfer. This means that your rent will not increase by more than inflation plus 1% during that period. This is a rent guarantee that the Council cannot make. The Business Plan also pledges that, for years five to ten of the transfer, while the position cannot be guaranteed for this period, every effort will be made to maintain the same low level rent increase. Please remember that any rent increase will be decided by the Board of Management, which is tenant led. |
| Q | With the Council no longer managing the housing services, will I have any control over my home? |
| A | Yes, in fact you will have a greater say in the priorities and management of your home because tenants will have significant representation on ACHA’s Management Committee and four Area Committees, which have overall responsibility for all of the Association’s decisions. |
| Q | What will happen to my housing benefit/council tax? |
| A | The amount of Housing and Council tax benefit, which those entitled to it receive, will not change because your landlord changes. ACHA is working with the Council’s Benefit Team to ensure that the quality of service you receive remains of a high standard. |