Emergency rent assistance in Aberdeenshire

Hardships incurred by working adults and cuts to benefits are two of the leading causes of homelessness in Aberdeenshire. Fortunately the local Council is determined to take action when one of their citizens faces an emergency situation that could cost them their tenancy.

Each situation is unique. The Homeless Prevention team at Aberdeenshire Council should be the primary source of assistance when someone is running out of good options to solve a housing problem.

Rent arrears are frequently caused by a financial situation that includes either a reduction in income, an increase in expenses or a combination of the two. People who are experiencing financial problems often find that an advice session can provide resolution to many types of budget concerns.

These are some of the areas where the Housing Officer can lend a hand:

• An advice session can help someone determine the extent of the problem and discover options that can remedy the situation. There may be budget tools that can be implemented or advice towards increasing income that can help with the issue.
• Staff can evaluate eligibility for welfare benefits to determine if someone is a candidate. Even if partial benefits are already received, a review could find that someone is eligible for full benefits. Assistance with gaining the maximum allowable credit is one of the primary tools of the team.
• Many landlord and tenant disputes can be resolved through mediation. Some of these disputes originate from communications problems or misunderstandings. Others could be raised from legitimate concerns. Often a Housing Officer can intervene to find a common compromise that both parties can consent to. This could include situations involving insufficient repairs, antisocial behaviour or rental arrears.
• Illegal evictions and other unlawful actions can be corrected by the team. Sometimes the situation requires direct intervention if the rights of a citizen have been violated. Other times the team can remedy the situation just by educating the landlord or the tenant on proper procedures.
• Getting help with disability adaptations is another option. The landlord may be eligible for grants through the Council to make modifications to a property if it would help someone better cope with a disability. This could help someone stay in their same home.
• If a resident has become unemployed, they could get help finding employment so they can continue to rent the same flat. This may include a referral to the nearest Jobcentre.
• Someone that needs to move could get help moving to a new home. This could be due to the bedroom tax, such as if there has been a change to the number of people in the household. This can include help with the deposit in some situations.

Keeping all citizens housed permanently is a goal of Aberdeenshire Council. They have established a housing assistance hotline on 08456 08 1203. To manage the concerns experienced by residents, there are also local housing offices to provide direct support:

• Banff–Call 01261 813260.
• Fraserburgh–Call 01346 514866.
• Huntley–Call 01466 794121.
• Inverurie–Call 01467 620981.
• Peterhead–Call 01779 483278.
• Stonehaven–Call 01569 762001.

The most common complaint that we hear is that someone waited until it was too late to get help. We realise that everyone likes to keep their private affairs to themselves. There comes a time though where it is necessary to take action before a situation becomes hopeless.

The sooner that the Homeless Prevention team is consulted about a potential rent problem, the sooner that they can provide the necessary assistance to correct the problem. For example, if someone becomes eligible for benefit payments, it could take a month following the approval before they actually receive those payments. Getting that application in early can be essential for avoiding situations where the rent can fall into arrears.

Some higher earners or dual income households may find that they do not qualify for benefits. There may be some financial products available through banks or credit unions that can help them get through a temporary financial emergency. These can carry fees and interest that cover a very high range, so it is important to shop around for loans with the most favourable terms.