The Association is committed to delivering the highest level of service and comfort to tenants.  We think it is important to let you know that Board members have agreed a £6.6 million spending package to upgrade existing homes.  Living standards are therefore set to improve for hundreds of you across the North East of Scotland.  £26 million (including grant from the Scottish Government) will also be invested in building new homes for tenants and housing applicants.

Major repairs
The budget for capital (major routine) repairs is prepared annually, following consultation with tenants and regular review of the Association's business plan.  It is shaped by your priorities as well as those of the Board.  The budget takes into account the most pressing maintenance and improvements needed to keep your homes modern and safe as well as statutory requirements and the commitments outlined in the Association's business plan.

Energy efficiency
We recognise the need for increasing energy efficiency due to rising energy costs.  In the first grant award of its kind from the Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund, the Association was successful in attracting over £300k grant from the Scottish Government for a project at our housing scheme in Turriff.  Communal air source heat pumps supported by solar panels and battery storage are being installed.  This means the whole scheme will be decarbonised by moving away from the current heating system of gas boilers which produce carbon dioxide and other green house gas emissions. 

The properties and existing heating requirements have been monitored with sensors over the winter.  The project is due for completion in summer and we expect to be able to prove the properties will be warmer and have lower heating costs next winter with the heat pumps.

Making these changes to existing buildings so that energy use and emissions are reduced (retrofit), like the project at Turriff, not only helps to lower tenants’ fuel costs and tackle fuel poverty, it makes homes more comfortable and healthier too.  It also supports the Association's "Net Zero Carbon by 2034", the commitment we look to protect the wider environment and reduce risks associated with climate change by not adding to the amount of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

We are currently surveying tenants' homes to establish the suitability of properties for the installation of solar panels on a large sclae and to identify retrofit works that will shape future major improvement programmes.

If a surveyor contacts you please arrange the visit as we use these surveys to prioritise our plan of works. 

New bathrooms/ktichens/replacement windows
During 2023/24, our maintenance company, TLC will install 216 new kitchens, 61 new bathrooms and replace windows in 69 homes as well as undertaking any repairs identified from our property surveys.

The spending programme is also set to involve improvements to common areas and stairwells, adapting homes in response to people’s health needs and tackling the causes of damp and mould.

Tenant safety
Compliance and tenant safety is a major priority for the Association, with legislation requiring annual gas servicing including a check that smoke alarms are functioning.  Faulty electrics is a common cause of fire.  We have a five yearly electrical inspection programme.  Your assistance providing access for our contractors is appreciated.

Rent increase
Despite financial pressures, the Board decided to keep the rent increase well below inflation at 6% during 2023/24.  This follows a previous rent increase of 4.1% in 2022/23 and a rent freeze in 2021/22.  The increase will enable the Association to ramp up capital investment into existing homes, including new energy efficiency upgrades as well as continue to deliver new build housing.

Chairman of the Board, Dr Abhi Agawal said: “More than 500 homes all over the North East of Scotland are set to benefit from improvements - making them warmer, greener, safer and more accessible for generations to come.  Our capital housing programme is about spending money where it is most needed so that we can help as many tenants as possible live well in safe, warm homes.

“That means making Association homes more energy efficient which will help to drive down bills.  It means building brand new homes in response to the huge demand we’re seeing.  We will keep listening to our tenants so that we can invest in those areas which will make the biggest difference to people’s lives.

“Post-pandemic, Brexit and in the face of a cost-of-living crisis and war in Ukraine, we know it remains a challenging time for tenants, for the Association's budget and for the construction industry at large.  Like everyone else we’ve seen our running costs rise but we must remain committed to tackling the region's twin housing supply and homelessness crises.  We also need to improve the standard of the housing we provide.

“I’m proud that, despite these many pressures, we’ve had agreement from the Board to invest so substantially this year.  As we move forward, we’ll need to continue to work with partners and make our case to the local authorities and the Scottish Government to maximise funding opportunities and keep our longer-term plans on track.”