Glossary of terms used in this website
A
- Abandonment
Occurs when a tenant gives up their home without giving notice to the landlord.
- Accessible Housing
Designed to be usable by everyone without any further special adaptations being required.
- Accountability
An organisation's obligations towards its members, tenants, service users,local communities, local authorities, government and other partners. For Registered Social Landlords (RSL), this includes the demonstration of proper use of public funds.
- Adaptations
Alterations to a home for people who are diasbled or have a sensory impairment. Adaptations help people to remain in their homes should their condition deteriorate.
- Added Value
A distinct or specialist contribution made by carrying out activities eg social enterprises can add value to delivering public services because of their capacity to innovate or their proximity to local communities.
- Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
ACAS works with employers and employees to help prevent and resolve employment disputes before they reach employment tribunals.
- Affordable Housing
Housing of a reasonable quality that people on modest incomes can afford. In some areas, the market can provide some or all of the affordable housing that is needed but, in other places, housing needs to be provided at a cost below market value to meet an identified need. An 'affordable rent' is one which is within the means of households in low paid employment and which they can pay without needing to receive housing benefit.
- Agency Agreement
An arrangement where one organisation carries out services on behalf of another, usually for a fee eg development, factoring, housing support, care, etc.
- Allocations Policy
The set of published rules which a housing association/RSL uses to let its houses.
- Allpay
A rent payment system using a swipecard to pay on-line via the Link website, at Post Offices, Paypoint or Payzone terminals, in shops or at Link offices.
- Amenity Housing
Flats or houses with special modifications for people with particular needs, but not supported by a warden or sheltered housing officer. For example, amenity housing for older people could include bathroom handrails, non-slip flooring and repositioned electrical sockets.
- Annual Accounts
RSLs which are registered as Industrial & Provident Societies are required to approve an audited set of Accounts within six months of their year end and submit them to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and to Communities Scotland. The Accounts will include details of income and expenditure, a balance sheet and an external auditor's opinion. Companies (including Companies Limited by Guarantee) are also required to lodge audited accounts with Companies House within ten months of their year end. Many RSLs (including Link) complement their Accounts by publishing an Annual Review which features key results and achievements during the previous year.
- Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Each association is required to hold an AGM once a year. The general requirement is that this should occur within 3 months of the end of the financial year, which for most organisations is 31st March. Apart from approving the accounts and annual report, the AGM is the occasion when elections to the management committee take place. A similar requirement exists for Companies Limited by Guarantee or by Shares.
- Annual Performance and Statistical Return (APSR)
Sent to Communities Scotland, the APSR gives details of an RSL's performance each year in terms of its development and growth, housing service delivery, financial situation, staffing levels, etc.
- Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO)
A court order to protect the public from behaviour causing alarm or distress. Councils and RSLs - in consultation with the police - can apply to the courts for an ASBO. It contains conditions prohibiting the person named in it from doing anything specified in the order.This can include verbal abuse or entering certain locations.The minimum age at which a person may be subject to an ASBO is 12.
- Arbitor
An outsider called in to settle a dispute between parties.
- Assign
To make over or transfer
- Assignee
The person something is transferred to.
B
- Back Garden Area
East Coast of Scotland terminology for a tenement’s communal rear garden area, within which Bin Stores are less common.
- Backcourt Area
West of Scotland terminology for a tenement’s communal rear garden area, within which Bin Stores for domestic rubbish are located.
- Balanced Communities
Trying to make a disadvantaged community more like the wider population - attracting more people who are in work, who are in different age or ethnic groups, who are home owners, etc.
- Barrier Free Housing
Houses designed to be able to be used by people with a range of needs.
- Below the Tolerable Standard (BTS)
A legal term describing a building which does not have standard amenities and/or is not structurally sound eg. BTS houses may lack thermal insulation, safe electrical systems, adequate hot and cold water supplies,etc.
- Benchmarking
Comparing performance with other organisations and used to identify scope for service improvement by highlighting areas of difference. Benchmarks (measurement data that act as a baseline/starting point) may also be used to assess an indidual organisation's performance over a period of time.
- Best Value
Achieving continuous improvement in performance, based on the cost and quality of services and the views and expectations of customers. Local authorities have a legal duty to achieve 'best value' and Communities Scotland/SFHA's 'Performance Standards' place a similar obligation on RSLs.
- Bidding Framework
This is dependant on the value and is the way in which the goods / works / services are procured.
- Black and Minority Ethnic (BME)
A term for people from Black and Minority Ethnic groups.
- Block Insurance Policy
An arrangement whereby a number of houses, usually a landlord's entire stock, is covered by one insurance policy. Easier to administer than individual insurance for each house.
- Board/Management Committee
Elected at the Annual General Meeting. Usually comprises between 7 and 15 voluntary members if an Industrial & Provident Society or less if a guarantee or share company.
- Brownfield Site
A planning term to describe a piece of land which has been developed before. (Compare with Greenfield Site).
- BS EN ISO 9001:2000
A quality standard that meets UK, European and International agreed criteria.
- Building a Better Deal
Building a Better Deal is an initiative developed by Communities Scotland to encourage greater efficiency in the construction and maintenance of social housing. The aim is to improve the standard of social housing and achieve better value for money. Known in England as "Modern Methods of Construction" (MMC).
- Building Standards Regulations
Regulations made by the Scottish Execurtive to ensure that construction, alteration, extension or demolition of buildings complies with certain minimum standards.
- Burden
An obligation which runs with the ownership of the property, the details of which are found in the Title Deed.
C
- Capacity Building
Developing skills, expertise and self-confidence in indiduals and organisations to enable them to take control of their communities or to take on new challenges (eg participation in committees of management, setting up social enterprises, etc.)
- Capital Expenditure
Money used to buy assets. For example, the cash required to develop properties. This does not include ongoing maintenance or running costs ( known as 'revenue costs').
- Care and Repair
A scheme administered by some registered social landlords and part funded by local authorities. It aims to assist elderly owner-occupiers to repair their homes by assisting them to hire appropriate contractors or to access local authority repair and improvement grants for this purpose.
- Care at Home
Visiting or "floating" support provided to owner occupiers to help them stay in their homes and not to have to move to a residential home or a hospital.
- Care Commission
Makes sure that support providers meet national standards which are based on user's rights to dignity, privacy, choice, safety, and equality. Projects (including sheltered housing) receive regular inspection visits. (www.carecommission.com).
- Care in the Community
A Government initiative to move people with special needs out of hospitals and institutions into more mainstream accommodation with access to community-based services (refer also to Community Care and Housing Support).
- Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH)
A professional membership body for people who work in housing and presenting their views to the Scottish Executive and others.
- Choice Based Lettings
A system whereby applicants for housing choose from a range of vacant properties on offer, usually advertised in local or national newspapers. This differs from waiting lists systems where the applicants wait for an offer from the landlord.
- Close
West of Scotland terminology for the common stair within a tenement or flatted property.
- Cluster Flat
A flat where a number of separate individuals hold an individual tenancy, primarily of their own bedrooms, but share the use of common spaces. This management arrangement is often used for special needs purposes e.g. people with learning disabilities, with care and support being provided by a specialist agency.
- Co-operative
Generally smaller than typical RSLs, these have a stronger link between tenants and members. In a fully mutual co-op, all tenants are members and all members are tenants or prospective tenants.
- Co-Ownership
A form of tenure in which all residents jointly owned their homes and estates, having some of the advantages of home ownership and some of renting. Most common between 1970 and 1982.
- Collateral Warranty
An agreement used in 'design and build'contracts to provide an RSL with a contractual link to the contractor's consultants. This protects the RSL if there are defects in a building arising from consultants' degligence.
- Commission for Equality and Human Rights
An independent organisation set up to tackle all discrimination and promote equality. From 2007 it will represent all discrimination law, replacing the Equal Opportunities Commission, Disability Rights Commission and Commission for Racial Equality. It will also incorporate religion/belief, sexual orientation and age discrimination.
- Common Housing Register (CHR)
A list of all applicants for social housing within a given area (usually a local authority area) which used by all social landlords in that area. Sometimes referred to as a common waiting list. The Edinburgh scheme is called Edindex. RSLs each retain their own allocations policies.
- Common Interest
Is a legal principle that is designed to allow individual owners, within a block of flats, to carry out works to their own property, but that in doing so they must ensure these works do not infringe their duty to provide either support or shelter to their neighbours’ property. Removing an internal load-bearing wall would breach such an obligation.
- Common Law
Same as Law of Tenement
- Common Property
Building parts which are the common property of all the proprietors in the building, in equal shares. Title Deeds typically define the solumn, the common passage and stair (which is common property under common law), the roof (but not the roof space), rhones and downpipes, and the back green or back court.
- Common Repairs
Repairs to the external fabric of tenemental or multi-storey type property,the cost of which is shared among the owners.
- Common Stair
The internal or external stairs, which are used to access the individual flats within a block.
- Community Care
The provision of services and support to their own homes to people with special needs, for example, older people or people with learning disabilities (refer also to Care in the Community and Housing Support).
- Community Interest Company (CIC)
A type of company designed for enterprises that want to use their assets and profits for the benefit of the community they serve.
- Community Ownership
Ownership or control of assets (often through stock transfers) or services by an organisation located directly in the community it serves and constituted on a democratic, non-profit distributing basis with aims consistent with the needs of that community or place of interest.
- Community Planning
A collaboration of community representatives, local councillors, partnership voluntary and public sector representatives to promote wellbeing and ensure more efficient delivery of local services.
- Community Regeneration
Taking a co-ordinated approach to improving the social, economic and environmental aspects of a locality - better housing and community facilities and more jobs.
- Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO)
Legal powers of a local authority to buy land or buildings without the agreement of the owner. Used if an owner won't co-operate in essential housing renewal works.
- Constitution
The legal and procedural framework which governs the way an organisation works.For RSLs the constitution is called the Rules and,for a company, Memorandum and Articles of Association.
- Consultant
A professional who is engaged to carry out a particular task for a fee eg architect, quantity surveyor, engineer, etc.
- Contract Award Notice
These must be published within 48 days of the award of contract irrespective of which directive or procedure has been used.
- Convene
To call a meeting.
- Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
The representative body for Councils in Scotland. It reflects their collective views to the Scottish Executive and others.
- Corporate Social Responsibility
How business deals wuith its economic, social and environmental effects - increasing the benefits and reducing 'downsides'.www.csr.gov.uk
- Cost Floor
The original costs of producing a property, including the costs of any major refurbishments. The cost figure floor is used to calculate the selling price of a proerty under the Right to Buy. A tenant who qualifies cannot receive a discount which will take the selling price below the cost floor. Only costs incurred during the ten years before the application to purchase are included in the cost floor.So, eligible tenants can purchase for less than the outstanding loan debt provided they wait for ten years after any major works are carried out.
- Council (Local Authority)
Scotland has 32 councils which are the statutory housing bodies for their local areas.Some have combined their housing operations with other functions eg. Social Work. Councils publish Local Housing Strategies and administer Community Planning, homelessness, housing benefit, grants to owners and - in only Glasgow and Edinburgh - development funding for RSLs.
- Customer Service Centre
A central, single point of contact for tenants and other customers to make enquiries or report repair requests. Link introduced such a system in July 2006, operating from its new Watling House base in Falkirk.
- Cyclical Maintenance
These works are included in a planned programme which deals with the gradual and predictable deterioration of building components. This category of maintenance includes, for example, painting window frames regularly. It also includes the statutory obligations of a landlord to regularly inspect certain items (for example, gas-fired appliance safety checks).
D
- Data Protection
The Data Protection Act 1998 governs the records kept by landlords (in whatever format - paper, computer file etc.) and enables tenants and others to inspect the content of such records which relates to them.
- Day to Day Repairs
These are emergency or urgent repairs and repairs which cannot be left to the cycle of programmed maintenance without posing a threat to the safety, health and security of the tenant, the deterioration of the building or the landlord's repair obligations. Also known as reactive or responsive repairs.
- Decanting
The process whereby existing residents, either tenants or owners, are temporarily rehoused during the improvement of their original property. This can involve them being moved back into the original property after improvement or moved to another permanent home.
- Decree
A legal order
- Deed of Conditions
Legal document which sets down the rights and responsibilities of the various owners and factors in a tenement or multi-storey properties. Normally sets out the proportionate share of common repairs for each individual property.
- Defects Liability Period (DLP)
The pre-determined period after practical completion of a project when the contractor is responsible for making good any faults which appear and which are due to defective materials or work. The period is usually 12 months.
- Design and Build
For this procurement method, the employer sets out the requirements and the contractor is not only responsible for building the project but also for all aspects of the design. It must be clearly understood that the architect and other design consultants are employed by the contractor and as such respond to his or her instructions, not those of the employer. The Employer's Agent is the sole watchdog of the employer.
- Development Finance
This is the general term used to describe the funding of an improvement or new build project from the start to completion. It includes capital grants from Communities Scotland, New Housing Partnerships funding, contributions from other owners and private finance.
- Development Trust
An enterprise formed and run by local people to become sustainable, to trade and to acquire local assets.
- Disability Discrimination Act 1995
This Act requires organisations to ensure that they do not discriminate against any individual on grounds of disability. This includes indirect discrimination whereby an individual may be unable to work in certain premises because of access or mobility problems.
- Dispone
To transfer a property to another person.
- Disposition
A legal document showing that the property has been transferred to somebody else.
- Disturbance Payment
Payment made to a tenant or owner who suffers disruption arising from work done to their property as a consequence of it being declared a Housing Action Area.
E
- Easement
right to A right which a person may have over another person’s land or property, such as the access a certain place or run a pipe under a neighbour’s tenement.
- Edindex
See Common Housing Register (CHR)
- Effeiring
relating/pertaining
- Employers in Voluntary Housing (EVH)
Formerly the Clydeside Federation of Community Based Housing Associations, EVH is the only employers organisation for voluntary housing in Scotland. It provides support services and assistance for voluntary committees and boards on staff structures, conditions of service, salaries, employment law advice, collective bargaining and training.
- Environmental Improvement Grant
These grants are made available by a council to cover improvement of backcourts, etc. They are applied for independently from the main improvement contract grants, although for practical reasons the landlord will try to ensure that the different parts of the improvement programme tie in to each other.
- Equality and Diversity
There is a range of definitions of equal opportunities including "equality of opportunity", "equality of outcome", "equal treatment", "equity", "fairness" and "justice". Communities Scotland recognises that equal opportunities can be a broad term with a variety of meanings and that it can mean different things in different contexts. Encouraging equal opportunities does not always mean treating people the same. It can also mean considering and reflecting difference (i.e. Diversity). Promoting equal opportunities includes opposing institutional and other forms of discrimination and promoting participation and inclusion.
- Estate Management
Policies and procedures dealing with issues which arise concerning property, environment and residents.
- EU
European Union
- EU Procurement Directive
From OGC [see below]- The main new provisions aim to harmonise the standstill provisions between Member States and introduce ineffectiveness as a remedy for illegal direct awards, which are considered to be the most serious breach of the procurement rules.
- European Union (EU) Procurement Law
EU treaty and procurement directives state that contracts of all types and sizes must be awarded without discrimination on grounds of nationality or locality. RSLs must therefore advertise large building and maintenance works in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU, formerly OJEC) to allow potential contractors from throughout the EU to bid.
- Eviction
Occurs when a tenant is removed from their home against their will.
- Eviction decree
An order made in court by a sheriff, giving a landlord the right to evict a tenant.
- Ex facie absolute
on the face of it absolutely
F
- Factor
Originally the term referred to a landlord’s agent or steward but is now taken to be a property manager.
- Factoring
The process of managing and maintaining property in multiple ownership either by an RSL, a specially appointed agent or by one of the owners. In tenements, the tradition is for factors to be independent agents acting for a variety of owners. Factoring can apply to the 'closes' and other common parts of a tenement and also common areas in estates where footpaths, play areas and landscaped areas have not been adopted by the council. The factor may also administer communal insurances.
- Feu Duty
A cash payment due by the owner of land or property to the original feudal superior of the land or his successor. The payment is in return for permission to build or own buildings on the land. In most cases feu duty can now be 'redeemed' or bought out. The law on this is about to change.
- Feu Superior
The individual or body which has rights (written into the title deeds) to control (within limits) the use of land or buildings owned by someone else.
- Financial Inclusion
Measures taken, usually locally, to help people and groups get access to funding they would otherwise be denied because they do not have a bank or building society account. Credit unions and other community banking initiatives help increase financial inclusion.
- Flashing
Strip of lead that covers and protects the area between the roof and an upright wall.
- Flat
This is defined under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 as being any property which is ‘separate and self contained set of premises, whether or not on the same floor, forming part of a building which is divided horizontally’.
- Flexible Tenure
A form of tenure where residents can switch from renting to owning and vice versa.
- Float
A small amount of cash that is paid in advance of works or services to allow a property manager to get these matters initiated.
- Foyer
A type of project, aimed at young unemployed people, which combines housing and training or employment.
- Framework Agreement
Framework agreements are used for repeat purchases and are likely to be used when the timing of the purchase decision is uncertain or quantities required are unclear. Such agreements can be with one or more suppliers
- Fuel Poverty
The Scottish Executive considers a household to be in fuel poverty if, in order to keep the home sufficiently heated, it would have to spend more than 10 percent of its income (including housing benefit or income support for mortgage interest) on all household fuel use.
- Futurebuilders
A Scottish Executive programme, managed by Communities Scotland, that will invest £18 million in the social economy sector from 2005 to 2007. The programme will help social economy sector organisations deliver better public services and increase their financial stability.
G
- Governance
This term describes the collective conduct and practices of the RSLs management committee or board in exercising its responsibilities.The leadership, direction and control of the RSL should ensure that it achieves its agreed aims and - in doing so - best serves the interests of its stakeholders and the general public.
- Grant Planning Target
Each RSL with a development programme being funded by Communities Scotland is given a target for how much grant is to be claimed in any year. Each RSL is consulted about its target. This was previously known as the Cash Planning Target.
- Greenfield Site
A planning term to describe land which has not previously been developed. (Contrast with Brownfield Site).
- Ground Burdens
Same as Feu Duty.
- Group Structure
A legal term to describe the situation where more than one organisation is linked through a parent/subsidiary relationship.
- Guarantee Company/Company Limited by Guarantee
A popular form of company in the voluntary sector, members do not buy shares but guarantee a maximum payment of a small sum (usually £1) in the event of financial difficulty. Board members are unpaid. A minimum membership of 2 people is required.
- Gulley
A street level drain.
H
- Homeadvantage
A website offering homes in Edinburgh for sales, shared ownership or mid or market rent by Link or Castle Rock/Lothian HA. www.homeadvantage-edinburgh.co.uk
- homehunt®
A choice-based house letting scheme used by Link, developed by Berwickshire Housing Association and used by Link, Servite, East Lothian Housing Association and others.
- Homeless
Given a wide interpretation to include not only "not having a roof over your head" but also being under threat of eviction, living inappropriately in an institution, sharing with friends or family, etc.
- HomePoint
A team within Communities Scotland that supports providers of housing information and advice services.
- Homestake
Original pilot scheme aimed at helping people on low incomes who wanted to be home owners but could not afford to pay the full price for a house. Housing associations funded part of the price of the house, using a Homestake grant, and retained a corresponding equity in the property. Homestake was replaced in early 2008 by a very similar scheme called LIFT.
- Housing Association Grant (HAG)
The capital grant which was paid to a registered housing association by Scottish Homes to meet the bulk of the costs of particular rehabilitation and new build projects. This has now been superseded by the Social Housing Grant (SHG).
- Housing Benefit
A means-tested benefit payable to low-income households to cover their housing costs. Payment is made by the DSS via local authorities or Communities Scotland.
- Housing for varying needs
Homes which are adapted or adaptable in future for people whose families will expand or who might be or become physically disabled.
- Housing in Multiple Occupation
Properties in which more than one household share basic amenities.
- Housing Support
Systems of help and advice for a range of people in different tenures to help them live independently in their communities. Aspects of support include rent and benefits, cooking, bills, furnishing and life skills to assist them in community integration and to take control of their lives (see also Community Care and Care in the Community).
I
- Improvement for Sale (IFS)
The improvement of sub standard housing to encourage and assist low cost owner occupation particularly in areas where there are few owner occupiers.
- Industrial and Provident Society (I & P Soc.)
A membership organisation established under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act. Members pay £1 to join. Management committee members are volunteers. Most Scottish Housing Associations / RSLs are I&P Societies.
- Investors in People
An accreditation system for organisations which achieve certain standards in staff management and training.
- Invitation to Tender
Invitation to Tender. An ITT is a formal invitation to suppliers, which invites suppliers to bid in competition for goods/services, which have been assessed and approved under prequalification and meet Link Group’s stated specification/requirements.
- Irritate
To make something null and void.
- ITT
Invitation to Tender. An ITT is a formal invitation to suppliers, which invites suppliers to bid in competition for goods/services, which have been assessed and approved under prequalification and meet Link Group’s stated specification/requirements.
K
- Kintry Housing Partnership
An Old Scots word for "neighbourhood", this is the title of a company set up to manage houses in Niddrie/Craigmillar, Edinburgh. Members include local residents; Link, Castle Rock Edinvar and Dunedin Canmore Housing Associations and the City of Edinburgh Council.
L
- Land Register
New system for registering property ownership in Scotland, which replaces the previous Register of Sasines.
- Larach Alliance
Using a Gaelic word for "foundation" Larach comprises six RSLs (Link, Hillcrest, Castle Rock, Perthshire, Kingdom and West of Scotland) who work together to improve relationships with contractors and suppliers to achieve efficiency and explore new methods of construction. www.larach.org.uk
- Large Scale Voluntary Transfer (LSVT)
The process of transferring the ownership of tenanted public sector homes to another landlord, with the consent of the majority of the tenants. Secure tenants who transfer to a landlord in this way keep their right to buy and their rights of succession.
- Law of Tenement
Common Law arrangements that apply to tenement properties where the Title Deed does not detail how to deal with a particular management matter.
- Lien
A right to hold soemone’s property until a debt is paid.
- Life Cycle Costing
A method of calculating the cost and timing of the repairs to and replacement of major building components. Once the landlord has determined its long term strategy for the maintenance and replacement of the various elements in properties over a thirty or sixty year period, these estimated figures should form part of the exercise in establishing future rent levels for the properties.
- Lifetime Homes
A term used to describe homes which meet, or can easily be adapted to meet, the changing needs of households over time.
- LIFT (Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers)
New Scottish Government Shared Equity Open Market Scheme which replaces Homestake. Aimed at helping people on low incomes who wish to be home owners but cannot afford to pay the full price for a house. Housing associations fund part of the price of the house, using a LIFT grant, and retain a corresponding equity in the property.
- Local Enterprise Company
One of a network of organisations which cover Scotland and are responsible for economic, training and employment initiatives. They are controlled by the quangos, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.
- Local Housing Organisation (LHO)
A term commonly used to describe a company which is set up by a local authority to own and/or manage social rented housing. Several LHO's have been established in Glasgow to take stock from Glasgow Housing Association.
- Local Housing Strategies
Local authorities make a comprehensive assessment of housing needs and conditions, and produce strategies to tackle the housing problems in their area over a five-year period.
- Low Cost Home Ownership (LCHO)
An all-embracing term for the various categories of ownership offered by organisations e.g. Improvement for Sale (IFS) or Shared Ownership.
M
- Major Repairs
Major repairs are works which have become necessary since the original development or rehabilitation works were completed, including works required by subsequent legislative changes. This work includes replacement of, or repairs to, features of properties which have come to the end of their economic lives.
- Management and Maintenance Allowances
These are the figures used in the grant calculation by Communities Scotland as estimates of RSL's running costs.
- Market Rent
Rents are set according to what people are prepared to pay.
- MEAT
Most Economically Advantageous Tender. The Most Economically Advantageous Tender is one that has the lowest evaluated cost and not necessarily the lowest submitted price. The criteria which the authority may use to determine that an offer is the most economically advantageous include delivery date, running costs, cost effectiveness, quality, aesthetic and functional characteristics, technical merit, after sales service, technical assistance and price.
- Membership
Every Registered Social Landlord must have a membership policy. Members are, in effect, the owners of the landlord body and the management committee and board are elected by and from the membership.
- Mental Welfare Commission
An independent organisation set up by Parliament to protect the welfare of people with mental disorder.
- Missives
This is an everyday expression used in Scotland for an agreement which has been constituted by an exchange of letters. "Completed missives" are when the party of whom the offer is addressed has given a written acceptance.
- Mixed Tenure
A range of types of accommodation in terms of ownership and occupation - social rented, market rented, shared ownership and outright owner occupation.
- Mortgage to Rent
A scheme supported by the Scottish Executive to prevent homelessness through mortgage repayment default. An owner sells their home to an RSL which then rents it back to them.
- Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT)
Most Economically Advantageous Tender. The Most Economically Advantageous Tender is one that has the lowest evaluated cost and not necessarily the lowest submitted price. The criteria which the authority may use to determine that an offer is the most economically advantageous include delivery date, running costs, cost effectiveness, quality, aesthetic and functional characteristics, technical merit, after sales service, technical assistance and price.
N
- National Home Efficiency Rating (NHER)
A measure of energy efficiency in buildings.
- New Deal
A government initiative aimed at bringing young people and the longer term unemployed into work by subsidising employees' wages and training for a period of 6 months.
- New Housing Partnerships
A government initiative aimed at encouraging local authorities to transfer their housing stock into community ownership through the provision of funding.
- Nomination
The process of selecting prospective tenants for vacant properties. It is often a requirement of grant that landlords accept nominations from their local authority for 50% of any vacant houses.
- Nominee
Someone who is named to carry out a task on another person’s behalf and with their authority.
- Notice of Proceedings for Recovery of Possession (NOP)
Formal notice by the landlord that eviction action is being started. The notice must be in writing and has a legally-prescribed content.
O
- OGC
Office of Government Commerce
- OJEU
Official Journal of the European Union. This publication is where the project advert or tender will appear.
P
- Partnering
RSLs and others working together with consultants, contractors and suppliers in a spirit of co-operation to improve efficiency and quality and to share expertise, all for the benefit of the "end user" i.e. tenant, homeowner, etc.
- Performance Indicator
A measure of whether an organisation is achieving its objectives. Performance indicators can be compared with a pre-set standard (a benchmark) or with other organisations.
- Performance Standards
Guidance developed by Communities Scotland, the SFHA and COSLA which sets the Standards for all social landlord and homelessness services in Scotland. Used as a framework for inspections by Communities Scotland, the standards are split into two sections: Guidance standards - which should underpin everything an RSL does, and Activity standards - which focus on specific service areas.
- Person-centred
An approach to care and support provision (by LinkLiving) which focuses on service users having services designed for them individually rather then them having to adapt or accept systems already in place.
- Pertinances
Something which belongs to the property or a person.
- PIN
PIN or Prior Information Notices (also known as an Indicative Notice). The Prior Information Notice (PIN) is the annual or occasional advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Union, advising the contracting community of Link's future procurement plans. PINs are intended to ensure that interested parties have as much time as possible to prepare for participation.
- Planned Maintenance
Maintenance which is planned to take place at a certain time but which will not be required to be carried out regularly. Mainly one-off contracts e.g. window replacement.
- PQQ
Pre Qualification Questionnaire. The purpose of a PQQ is to pre-qualify tenderers for commercial, technical and qualitative competence and to assist in developing the specification of requirements and mutually acceptable outline terms and conditions of contract.
- Private Finance
Money borrowed over a period of time to fund development costs not covered by a capital grant from Communities Scotland. The borrowing is from the private sector, e.g. a bank or building society.
- Pro indiviso
proportional (not divided equally)
- Procurement
The process of buying services or materials - ranging from office supplies to major building works - from other organisations eg suppliers, contractors, etc. In the housing movement, it refers mainly to the methods an RSL uses to develop projects (e.g. competitve tendering or design and build contracts) or to organise repairs.
- Purchase Order
A purchase order (PO) is a commercial document issued by a buyer to a seller, indicating types, quantities, and agreed prices for products or services the seller will provide to the buyer. Sending a PO to a supplier constitutes a legal offer to buy products or services. Acceptance of a PO by a seller usually forms a once-off contract between the buyer and seller, so no contract exists until the PO is accepted.
Q
- Quality Value Assessment
This is when tenders are assessed within a quality and price scoring assessment to award a successful tender.
R
- Re-lets
Lets made to the second or subsequent tenant. Distinguished from new lets which are made when the property is first built or modernised.
- Re-Provisioning
A process involving the replacement of one type of accommodation with another (more suitable) one, e.g., the transfer of supported accommodation from cluster flats to self-contained flats.
- Reactive Maintenance
Also called responsive maintenance or day-to-day maintenance. This is maintenance work carried out as the problem arises and is reported to the landlord. This type of repair cannot be foreseen e.g. fitting a new door after a break-in.
- Real Conditions
Obligations affecting the use and enjoyment of land, usually imposed by superiors when referring to buildings to be created on such land, to define the use of the land.
- Rechargeable Repairs
Work that is the responsibility of the tenant but has been done (and initially paid for) by the landlord.
- Registered Social Landlord (RSL)
An organisation which has the primary purpose of providing affordable rented housing and which is registered with Communities Scotland. Mostly called "Housing Associations".
- Registration
In order to obtain grant from Communities Scotland, RSLs have to register with Communities Scotland. Both Industrial and Provident Societies and Companies can register with Communities Scotland providing they meet the criteria set out in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and the additional Registration Criteria set by Communities Scotland.
- Regulation and Inspection
This is the Department of Communities Scotland which deals directly with the registration and inspection of social landlords in Scotland.
- Rent arrears
The amount of rent not paid to the landlord on time. Rent arrears can include: Current tenants' arrears - money owed by existing tenants Former tenants' arrears - money owed by people who are no longer tenants, for example those who have been evicted or who have abandoned or terminated their tenancy.
- Rent Policy
The basis on which a landlord sets its rents. The rent policy should contain both the general principles behind the landlord's rents and the detailed way in which individual rents will be set.
- Repair Grants
Repair grants towards approved expenditure may be available from councils for making good property deficiencies. The actual amounts available vary from time to time and the qualifying criteria of individuals or their properties can also vary. It is possible that the eligible costs for both owner occupiers and shopkeepers, can be increased, particularly if there are structural problems in the building.
- Reserves
Accumulated surpluses which have been retained by the landlord. Reserves are shown on the face of the balance sheet and they may be designated for specific purposes, e.g., major repairs.
- RFQ
Request for Quotation
- Right to Buy
Right to Buy was introduced to Registered Social Landlords/Housing Associations by the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987. A secure tenant has the right to buy his/her property at a discounted price subject to length of tenancy with a public sector landlord. Limited only by the cost floor. Tenants who transfer to a new landlord through large-scale voluntary transfer have a preserved right to buy although they become assured tenants. Information for tenants is contained in the Scottish Executive publication 'Your Right to Buy Your Home', available from Housing Division 1, Scottish Executive, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ (0131 244 2857 or 0131 244 2021), and information is available from other sources such as the local Citizens Advice Bureau.
- Right to Repair
If a tenant has reported a repair to his or her landlord and after a reasonable period the repair has not been carried out, the tenant will then have the "Right to Repair" privately and have the bill issued to the landlord. This is a statutory right for council tenants only, but many other landlords have a similar voluntary scheme.
- Risk Management
Risk is the likelihood of things going wrong and what could happen if they do. For example, an RSL's financial position or its reputation could be damaged by a previously untried activity.Risk management refers to the systems which a landlord has in place to assess and guard against risk from its development, management or funding activities, e.g., insurance policies.
- Rules
Each RSL has a set of written rules which sets out its objectives and powers. If an association does anything which is not covered by the written rules, it may be acting illegally.
S
- Scottish Enterprise
A "quango" responsible for economic development, training and employment initiatives. It carries out this role through a network of local enterprise companies.
- Scottish Executive
The branch of the civil service which serves the Scottish Parliament.
- Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA)
This is a membership body which aims to represent all RSL's in Scotland. Any RSL may become a member. Its activities and committees are open to board/committee members and staff alike. Its main activities are policy development and guidance, training, research and representation to the Government and Communities Scotland on housing issues.
- Scottish Housing Associations Resources for Education (SHARE)
A national agency specialising in staff and committee training for RSL's in Scotland.
- Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS)
An agreed standard of good quality housing, which all local authorities and social landlords must meet by 2015.
- Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
The public services ombudsman receives and investigates claims of maladministration by tenants about landlords (after an organisation's own complaints procedure has been exhausted).
- Scottish Secure Tenancy (SST)
A unified form of tenancy which was introduced by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 as a replacement for secure, regulated and assured tenancies. Tenants of all RSL's will either have a Scottish Secure Tenancy or a Short Scottish Secure Tenancy.
- Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
SSSC regulates the social services workforce and its education and training to protect service users, raise standards and enhance professionalism.
- Self-Build
A scheme involving homes being built by the people who will occupy them on completion. The self builders learn skills during construction which may improve their ability to secure employment/trades.
- Servitude
An obligation that runs with the property, which obliges an owner to allow other people to do certain things.
- Share Company/Company Limited by Shares
A company owned by its shareholders who invest in it by purchasing shares. Their liability in the event of financial difficulty is limited to the amount of share capital they have bought. Registered with Companies House.
- Shared Equity
A means of helping people into home ownership through the purchase of an equity share in a property with the remaining share being held by, for example, a social landlord who would also benefit from any increase in the equity value.
- Shared Ownership
Although housing organisations cannot build new homes for outright owner-occupation, they can build new homes for part ownership and rent. The aim is to encourage those who cannot afford outright ownership, but who can afford more than an affordable rent, to become part owners. The private owner must buy at least 25% of the value of the house initially, but can buy more later. A rent is paid on the portion of the house remaining in the association's ownership. The sharing owner is responsible for all maintenance to his or her home. Where an association buys new homes on the open market for shared ownership, this is known as shared ownership off the shelf (SOOTS).
- Sheltered Housing
Groups of self contained homes linked to a warden or sheltered housing officer who provides specialist support to all of the tenants.
- Sinking Fund
A fund generated through regular monthly payments, which is designed to finance major building works in the future, this off-setting the need for a large one-off payment.
- Sist
A legal term meaning the sheriff suspends a case from further court action.
- Smaller Urban Renewal Initiatives (SURI)
SURIs aim to regenerate run down areas by targeting investment and focusing the efforts of local agencies, the community and the private sector. They are housing-led initiatives, usually in small towns.
- Social Economy Organisations/Social Enterprises
Voluntary and community organisations that use a business-like approach to delivering goods and services. They have a wide range of interests, from community initiatives in rural areas to those that provide employment opportunities for disabled people (e.g. Social Firms).
- Social Housing
General and special needs housing provided by registered social landlords, local authorities and other social housing providers for rent.
- Social Inclusion and Social Justice
The term used to describe the aim of assisting people to participate fully in society by removing barriers such as poverty.
- Social Inclusion Partnership
A government initiative aimed at developing a multi-agency approach to dealing with problems of deprivation within a given area or for a particular group of people.
- Solumn
Scottish building terminology for the bare earth area located immediately below the building.
- Special Needs Housing
General term covering housing built with particular tenant groups in mind. Usually involves either specially built or adapted housing, e.g., housing for disabled, or house linked to some support facility for adults with learning difficulties. Can also refer to houses allocated to particular groups, e.g., vulnerable young single people.
- Stair
Scottish terminology for the common stair within a tenement property.
- Staircasing
The term used to describe the increase in the proportion of a shared ownership home owner by the sharing owner. A minimum of 25% must be owned by the sharing owner and he or she can buy further 25% tranches to reach full ownership.
- Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)
A measure of insulation efficiency in buildings.
- Standing Orders
Standing Orders set out Link’s Board and Subsidiaries Committee Structure, their respective powers and authority and Link’s Financial and Employment practices.
- Subsidiary
A subsidiary is an organisation which is wholly or partly owned by another organisation (the "parent" organisation) and which is controlled by the parent. The parent must either: be a member of the subsidiary and control the composition of its management committee; or hold more than half of the shares issued by the subsidiary.
- Succession
The right of succession is contained within a secure tenancy and can be offered to assured tenancies, although it is not mandatory. Succession means that when the current tenant dies, the tenancy of a property passes to someone close to the previous tenant and who lived in the property before the tenant died.
- Supplier
The person or company the Buyer is procuring works, services or supplies from.
- Supported Accommodation
Accommodation where care or other services are provided to allow the resident to live as independently as possible within the community.
- Supporting People
A policy and funding framework which ensure good quality, person centred services which enable independent living.
- Sustainability
Sustainable development aims to enhance social wellbeing and provide a better quality of life for all, both now and in the future. It means wise use of human, economic and natural resources and aims to enable high levels of housing quality, reduced running costs, stable population and employment levels and protection and enhancement of the environment.
- Sustainable Communities
Communities where the local economy supports a fairly constant population level and which meet the different needs of existing and future residents, provide a good quality of life and offer opportunity and choice. RSLs increasingly aim to help achieve this in addition to mere 'bricks and mortar' development.
T
- Tenancy Agreement
Legal document or contract between landlord and tenant setting out the rights and responsibilities of each
- Tenant Ballot
A process of finding out whether tenants are in favour of a proposal such as a transfer of their homes from a local authority to an RSL.
- Tender Notice
Giving details of the project or requirement. Calling for tenders or expressions of interest.
- Tenement
In terms of the Tenements (Scotland) Act, a tenement means any commercial, residential or mixed-use building where there are two or more "flats" in - or designed to be in - separate ownership and divided horizontally.
- Tenure
A description of the ownership of a property and the status of its occupant, e.g., owner occupied; public or social rented.
- Title Deed
Legal document which sets out the burdens and conditions affecting that particular property.
- Tolerable Standard
A statutory minimum standard which all buildings must meet. It focuses on fundamental elements such as structure, water supply, toilet provision and dampness.
- Transfer of Engagements
By this process, a landlord may transfer all of its assets (e.g. housing stock ) and liabilities (e.g. debts) to another association. The transferring landlord will lose its separate legal existence and Communities Scotland's permission is necessary for the transfer to take place.
V
- VFM
Value for Money
- Videlicet
namely
- Voluntary Organisations
Organisations involved in activities like housing, community care and training whose management committee members are volunteers, i.e., unpaid.
W
- Whole Life Costing
A method of evaluating or comparing building materials and components by looking at installation costs, lifespans, running and maintenance costs.
- Wider Role/Action
Activities undertaken by registered social landlords over and above housing, which help to improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of individuals and communities.
