Rent Assessment Scheme

This page explains how the Council work out the rent you pay for your home. This is via a system called the Rent Assessment Scheme. Here we explain how the scheme works, give examples of a typical rent assessment, and describe why and how rents can change including points allocation, rent calculations and any changes. There are also other service charges that may apply.

If you have any questions that are not answered here, please contact your local housing office.

The Rent Assessment scheme looks at 14 possible amenities that you may have in your home, detailed below. The characteristics you have are converted into points. The points are then converted into a money value by a figure called the 'Points Value Factor' (PVF). Each year the Council set the value of this Points Value Factor to give a 'points rent'.

Appeals

If for any reason you disagree with your rent assessment, a formal appeals procedure has been developed. However you must still continue to pay your rent during any appeal as normal. Please contact you Local Housing office for further information.

Further Information

Please email housing@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or contact your Local Housing Office if you would like further information on your rent assessment.

Description of Amenities

• House Type
  - This describes the type of house you live in.
  
• Floor Area
  - This counts the total square metres within your house from wall to wall.
  
• Apartment Size
  - This means the number of bedrooms and living rooms your house has.
  
• Glazing
  - This is the type of windows that your house has.
  
• External Doors
  - This is the number of doors your house has that allows outside access.
  
• Parking
  - This lets you know what sort of parking you have, if any.
  
• Garden Space
  - This tells you whether your garden is shared with someone else or is private for your use only.
  
• Door Entry System
  - This allows you to speak to someone via an intercom before letting him or her in.
  
• Other Facilities
  - This will tell you whether your house has a communal satellite dish or TV aerial.
  
• Bathroom Facilities
  - This tells you what equipment you have in your bathroom.
  
• Heating
  - This lets you know the extent of heating in your house.
  
• Footpaths
  - This lets you know if your paths from the street to your doors are used only by you or shared.
  
• Community Alarm
  - This links to a central control unit and lets you call for help.
  
• Kitchen
  - This lets you know the extent of kitchen facilities you have.

For a full explanation of all the above characteristics please contact your Local Housing Office.

Changing Your Rent Assessment

Tenant Improvements

No increase in rent is charged if you improve the amenities in your home. However you must remember to get written permission before you do any improvements or alterations. Improvements could include fitting a new kitchen, putting in your own vehicular access or adding an over bath shower. If you have gained permission the Council will take on responsibility for upkeep once the work has been completed to a satisfactory standard. You may still be charged for a characteristic if you replace it, such as taking out a fully fitted kitchen and replacing it with your own.

Council Improvements

The Council will increase you rent from the beginning of the next payment period after any work is completed that is covered by the Rent Assessment Scheme. This could include, for example, installing a new kitchen or double-glazing.

What Happens If An Assessment Needs To Be Changed For Other Reasons?

The Council work out the rent assessment on the information it has on your home. Sometimes this information may not reflect all the actual amenities in the home. If so, the Council will amend the rent. If the rent needs to be increased, you will receive four weeks' notice. If the rent needs to be decreased, the Council will do this immediately.

Other Charges That May Apply

Some homes may incur other costs in addition to those in the Rent Assessment Scheme. The most common charges are:

Sheltered Housing Service Charges

There are a number of Services Charges that may apply to Sheltered Housing:

• Heating and Lighting
  
• TV Licence
  
• Sheltered Housing Management charge

Other Service Charges

Other Service Charges that some homes may incur in addition to those in the Rent Assessment Scheme are:

• Garden Maintenance Scheme
• Household Contents Insurance
• Furnished Let Service Charge

For more details of how much and how the above charges are calculated please contact your Local Housing Office.