Tenant Focus Group Spring Meeting 2026

Our Tenant Focus Group met at 6 North Ness on Friday 27^th February 2026 for a working lunch, to discuss a number of areas linked to activities and performance over the last 3 months.

1. Rent Increase

Friday 6^th February saw the end of the ‘Your Rent Your Views’ process in relation to the proposed 5.6% rent increase. We discussed the feedback and considered the information leaflet that would be distributed to all tenants along with the rent increase notification letters.

Our key message is to urge tenants to reach out to us for support, whether this be for advice in relation to energy, heating systems, benefit advice or a repair you have reported that is beyond the completion date. We can’t control things like energy costs or threshold entitlements for welfare support payments, but we are here to help and may just have the information you need to make a difference for you and your household.

2. Quarter Three performance 25/26

Th Association’s quarter three performance for 25/26 was reviewed, using the recent submission to Scotland’s Housing Network. In all areas, the Association is performing above the national average of members, with particular highlights being;

3. New build Allocation Policy

Linked to a discussion on the large-scale development at the Staney hill, the group considered a proposal to increase the level of priority to existing tenants, when it comes to the first let of a new build property. This would reflect the fact that existing tenants help fund new developments through their rent (to pay the private finance required) and to act as an incentive for tenants to maintain their homes well and ensure they do not have rent arrears. There was overwhelming support for this concept and the team will consider this when it comes to reviewing the Allocation Policy.

4. Leased properties

The Association currently leases a very small proportion of its stock to statutory services and third sector organisations, such as Shetland Islands Council, NHS, Police Scotland and Shetland Women’s Aid. Whilst there are no plans to significantly increase the number of units leased, there is a proposed change to the rent structure, whereby an organisation who uses the accommodation for staffing will pay a slightly elevated rent. Services who have a lease but then use the accommodation to support members of the community directly will continue to pay the same level of rent as a secure tenant. The members present agreed with this proposal and feel an elevated charge, where applicable, would be appropriate.

5. Changeworks partnership

Since the Autumn of 2024, The Association has been working in partnership with Changeworks to deliver a Tenant Energy Support Service. During this time, in the region of 90 tenants have benefited from their support, which has resulted in saving tenants £33,573. This has included ‘Behaviour Change Advice, External Grants and Billing Advocacy. Given the success of this partnership, we are keen to extent our working relationship and, subject to the continuation of the scheme, we hope tenants will benefit from this for another 2 years.

savings Hjaltland staff have been working hard to support tenants who require meter upgrades as part of the scheduled RTS switch off. Some excellent links have been formed with the electricity providers, which is proving invaluable in making good progress with the transition. It was confirmed that in terms of switching over to smart meters, the priority is very much on tenants who currently have storage heating and rely on the teleswitch.

6. Re-let assessments

There was a request for members of the Tenant Focus Group to help scrutinise the re-let standard set by the Association. When a property becomes void, we will liaise with tenants and arrange an inspection, to be assessed in line with our standard. This will only be done where it does not jeopardise the re-let times – staff will be in touch with the volunteers over the next few months.

7. New legislation

The group were provided with information on two significant pieces of legislation, which will impact on tenants over the next year;

• Housing (Scotland) Act 2025
• Domestic Abuse (Protection)(Scotland) Act 2021

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 will see changes to the model Scottish Secure Tenancy Agreement, with changes to pet permission, succession rights, qualifying repairs under the ‘right to repair’ guidance.

The Domestic Abuse (Protection)(Scotland) Act 2021 is long overdue and will offer protection to victims and survivors of domestic abuse, giving social landlords the power to terminate tenancies and transfer to the victim, removing the need for them to move.

More guidance on both pieces of legislation will be published in the coming months.

8. Spring Newsletter content

The group agreed the following information will be included in the spring newsletter;

• Information on contents insurance
• An article on the issues and dangers associated with gambling
• Information on the rent increase
• Information on dog fouling
• Information on how to report neighbour noise
• Information on how to work your heating system
• Information on video doorbells and domestic CCTV
• Information on financial support and advice

The meeting closed with sincere thanks to all the tenants who give up their spare time to help scrutinise our performance and support us in moving forward.