Welcome to our Private Sector What's New page which:
- highlights recent and forthcoming changes within the sector
- highlights services we provide
- promotes promoting good practice
This page will be updated to reflect future developments/changes. If you have any suggestions on how to improve this page please contact us by email at privatesector.housing@falkirk.gov.uk or by telephone on 01324 590797.
Summer Savings and Winter Warmth
Home Energy Scotland offers free and impartial energy advice and provides information on available grants and loans to reduce your energy bills and make your home warmer. Assistance can be accessed by Homeowners, Private Tenants and Private Landlords.
For more information visit the Home Energy Scotland website or call on 0808 808 2282.
Renting Privately
Information on Renting Privately is available at Renting Privately: What you should know.
Our Renting Privately: financial and practical support provides information on a wide range of available support.
Rent Deposit Assistance Scheme
If you are trying to secure a private rented property in the Falkirk area but are on a low income and unable to raise the deposit yourself, the Rent Deposit Assistance Scheme may be able to help.
Please see our Rent Deposit Assistance Scheme for further information.
Renting Privately: Want to stay informed?
The Private Sector Team are increasing the information provided to and working towards increasing its' engagement with private sector tenants across Falkirk.
If you want to stay informed about changes and developments within the sector as well as future private rented engagement opportunities. Please sign up to our engagement database by emailing privatesector.housing@falkirk.gov.uk: please tell us your name, postal address, email address and phone number.
All active engagement opportunities will be shared through Participate+, Falkirk Council’s new online platform. For further information about the platform and how to register, please see Have Your Say - Get Involved!
Housing (Scotland) Bill
The Housing (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament by the Scottish Government on 26 March 2024. The Bill (as introduced), Explanatory Notes as well as progress are available to view on the Scottish Parliament's website. The bill covers Rent Control, Evictions, Keeping Pets and making changes to let Property, Other Matters relating to Tenants, Homelessness Prevention and Other Housing Matters.
The Call for Views on the bill closed on Friday 24 May 2024: published responses can be accessed at Housing (Scotland) Bill Call for Views.
Under One Roof
Under One Roof are a charity who provide free and impartial, online and interactive information about common repairs and tenement maintenance: helping private flat owners understand their rights and responsibilities to manage their building. Please see our Under One Roof page for more information.
Novoville Shared Repairs App
An app designed to help owners repair and maintain the common areas of their block is now available across Falkirk. For more information please see our Novoville Shared Repairs app.
Renting Matters in Falkirk (eNewsletter) - June 2024
The fifth edition of our Landlord and Letting Agents Newsletter, Renting Matters in Falkirk, is now available.
Compulsory Owners Associations Consultation (April - August 2024)
The Scottish Law Commission released a discussion paper in April 2024 which set out provisional proposals for the introduction of Compulsory Owners Associations. These proposals follow on from the recommendations of the Scottish Parliament's Tenement Maintenance Cross-Party Working Group.
The consultation closed on 01 August 2024. Background information and next steps information are available on the Scottish Law Commission's website. The recording of the webinar held on 09 May 2024 can be accessed on the Scottish Law Commission's YouTube channel.
Scheme of Assistance
Our Scheme of Assistance outlines who can access assistance and what assistance is available to maintain, repair and adapt your home.
We are currently undertaking a review of the Property Conditions Assistance. Any changes made will be updated on our Scheme of Assistance page.
Other information
Factoring
The Code of Conduct for Property Factors sets out minimum standards of practice for registered property factors. A revised Code of Conduct, approved by the Scottish Parliament came into effect on 16 August 2021. Please see our Factoring page for further information.
Fire Safety Standard
The Fire safety standard in Scotland has changed. Every home in Scotland must now meet the "Tolerable Standard", by having interlinked smoke and heat detectors. Carbon monoxide detectors will also be required if you have carbon-fuelled appliances in the property.
Information on the new standard is detailed in the Scottish Government Fire and smoke alarms: changes to the law factsheet.
All homeowners are responsible for ensuring that their property meets this requirement.
Help for first-time buyers - now closed for 2024/25
This scheme aims to help first time buyers and certain priority groups access home ownership. This scheme is administered by Link Housing Association on behalf of the Scottish Government. Information on eligible groups and how to apply is available at LIFT Open Market Shared Equity.
Housing to 2040
In March 2021, the Scottish Government published its first long-term national housing strategy: Housing to 2040. This strategy sets out a vision for housing in Scotland and a route map to get there.
Market Evidence: collection of rental information
Rent Service Scotland collects rental information from a wide variety of sources contributing to a data set which is used to produce statistics for the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The information is also used to set levels of Local Housing Allowance, Universal Credit, valuations for Housing Benefit, registered rents, rent adjudications and Rent Pressure Zones.
Rent Service Scotland
If you can share rental information, please download the Market Evidence Form attached and return to us. The information will be held securely in the Rent Service Scotland database and held in line with the current retention policies. Contact details are:
Email: rss.dundee@gov.scot
Rent Service Scotland
2nd Floor Endeavour House
1 Greenmarket
Dundee
DD1 4QB
Telephone: 0300 244 7000 (Answer machine only)
Repairing Standard: statutory guidance for private landlords
Updated Repairing Standard guidance was published by the Scottish Government in January 2024. The guidance applies to all tenancies required to meet the Repairing Standard. It outlines the new measures coming into effect on 01 March 20/24 (see below) and provides full details of how to comply with the Repairing Standard.
New measures: Safe Kitchens, Fixed Heating Systems, Safe Access to Common Parts, Consent to Work on Common Parts, Safe and Secure Common Doors, Residual Current Devices, Lead Pipes and Other Fuels.
Contact us
Private Sector Team
The Forum
Callendar Business Park
Falkirk
FK1 1XR
Tel: 01324 590797
Email: privatesector.housing@falkirk.gov.uk