South Ayrshire Council social letting agency praised for stellar service
A tenant has applauded the service, which helped him settle into his home
A social lettings agency set up to help homeless people and those on low incomes has received high praise from a tenant.
South Ayrshire Council's ‘Your Choice’ social lettings agency has been commended by one of the first tenants on the scheme, who said he has “found renting from the Council a very positive experience”.
James, who has been settled into his property for more than a year and is encouraging others to give ‘Your Choice’ a try, said: “I felt they [SAC] cared about the outcome and they wanted to see me make a success of my tenancy and were happy to support me to do so.
“Whether that was through practical advice or just coming round for a cuppa and a chat and leaving me a wee jar of homemade jam.
“I would advise anyone struggling to access the rental market or a landlord looking at renting out their property to consider this option.”
James had previously found accessing the rental market challenging due to the shortage of rental properties and the need for credit checks.
After being made aware of the scheme, he was allocated a housing officer and soon after visited a flat close to his work.
Councillor Martin Kilbride, the council’s portfolio holder for Buildings, Housing and Environment, said: “I’m delighted that James has settled into his new home and I hope his story encourages others to give us a try, even if they have encountered problems with renting in the past.
“We will continue to work with tenants and landlords to ensure even more people have a home they can be proud of.”
The council are keen to hear from private landlords that want to help make a difference. They provide a rent guarantee for the first three months, prepare all the lease documents, and offer support throughout the tenancy.
For more information and property listings, visit: https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/your-choice-lettings
