The Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) was introduced by the Scottish Government in 2004 and sets a national standard for the physical quality of rented properties that all local authorities and registered social landlords must achieve by 2015.
The standard is based on a number of broad quality criteria and consists of five key categories which all social rented housing must meet:
-
Compliant with the tolerable standard - must be fit for human habitation
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Free from serious disrepair - refers to wall structures and roof coverings, etc
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Energy efficient - must be well insulated and have an efficient heating system
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Provided with modern facilities and services - refers to kitchen and bathroom fittings
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Healthy, safe and secure - refers to gas and electrical systems, plus smoke detectors, etc
We have recently carried out surveys of our housing stock to determine the current condition and this information is used to help us plan where we need to carry out investment work to ensure that all of Falkirk Council's properties meet the SHQS by 2015.
The following table shows the most recent performance information that we have submitted to Audit Scotland on our progress in August 2010:
Falkirk Council stock condition information
(Total number of properties: 16,371)
|
Description
|
Number
|
%
|
|
Meeting tolerable standard
|
16,005
|
98%
|
|
Free from serious disrepair
|
16,267
|
99%
|
|
Energy Efficient
|
8,894
|
54%
|
|
Modern facilities & services
|
13,707
|
84%
|
|
Healthy, safe & secure
|
14,513
|
89%
|
|
Total houses meeting SHQS
|
7,021
|
43%
|
If you would like more information on the SHQS you can find this on the Scottish Government website|.