Scottish Government

LETWISE

EDINBURGH - LETWISE

CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL

2005

On-going

• To improve and maintain the quality and management of private rented housing in the City of Edinburgh and help encourage the growth of diverse thriving communities.

• Makes landlords and tenants more aware of their rights and responsibilities through advice and information;
• Focus is on capacity-building e.g. landlord training;
• Good support and interest from councillors.

• The team currently deals with about 8,000 enquiries per year (from a range of landlords, lettings agents and tenants);
• Around 5,000 landlords on database;
• 900 training places provided between April 2007 and March 2008
• Letwise also manages Edinburgh Landlord Accreditation service.

• Operations manager;
• 5 housing officers (2 specialising in information and training;
• Administrative support.

• Cost £320K spend for 2007/2008 (including accreditation scheme);
• The service is free to landlords and tenants.

• Letwise pages on Council website;
• Referrals from council services and external organisations;
• Advertising of events in press;
• Promotion of services to students.

• Up-to-date accurate information and training (training sessions every 3 months);
• Opportunity to engage with the Council and to be consulted on developments relating to PRS;
• Regular newsletter (Inside Letting);
• Free resources such as lease agreements and access to advice on a case - specific basis;
• Ability to promote themselves as an accredited landlord reaching a high standard;
• Annual landlord exhibition.

• Better informed landlords;
• Reassurance of landlord accreditation scheme and ability to use complaints procedure;
• Free information and advice on rights and responsibilities;
• Assistance in resolving problems available

• Contacts with landlords developed through Letwise have helped with other projects (e.g. private sector leasing) as landlords have confidence in the council;
• Having a dedicated resource has allowed staff to get to know the sector and the issues;
• Strengthens relationships with local landlords and lettings agents;
• Helps drive up property and management standards;
• Landlords who are involved are motivated - and want to see poor landlords dealt with and standards raised.

• Structures and resources: p.35
• Marketing and publicity: p.39, p.40
• Providing information and advice: p.49
• Providing information and advice to tenants: p.51
• Development sessions for landlords and lettings agents: p.59
• Landlords' Day: p.60