Maintaining Houses-Preserving Homes - A Report on Responses to the Consultation

MAINTAINING HOUSES - PRESERVING HOMES: A REPORT ON RESPONSES TO THE CONSULTATION

APPENDIX 2 QUANTITATIVE DATA TABLES

RESPONDEE INFORMATION FORM

Are you responding as:

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	Individual	114	39.3	41.6
	organisation	160	55.2	58.4
	Total	274	94.5	100.0
Missing	no response	16	5.5
Total		290	100.0

LOCAL AUTHORITY POWERS

Dealing with Defects and Disrepair

Question 1

The proposed single statutory notice gives local authorities enhanced powers to deal with a wide range of condition problems. Is this the correct way forward?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	174	60.0	92.1
	no	10	3.4	5.3
	Don't know/unsure	5	1.7	2.6
	Total	189	65.2	100.0
Missing	no response	101	34.8
Total		290	100.0

Question 2

Do you agree that local authorities should have the power to take out a maintenance order against a property or group of properties?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	174	60.0	91.6
	no	14	4.8	7.4
	Don't know/unsure	2	0.7	1.1
	Total	190	65.5	100.0
Missing	no response	100	34.5
Total		290	100.0

Question 3

Should this maintenance order be limited to five years?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	97	33.4	57.1
	no	67	23.1	39.4
	Don't know/unsure	6	2.1	3.5
	Total	170	58.6	100.0
Missing	no response	120	41.4
Total		290	100.0

Question 4

Do you agree that it is reasonable to require a sinking fund to be set up as part of the maintenance order requirements?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	145	50.0	80.6
	no	33	11.4	18.3
	Don't know/unsure	2	0.7	1.1
	Total	180	62.1	100.0
Missing	no response	110	37.9
Total		290	100.0

Question 5a

Do you agree that there should be powers to control occupation of properties subject to statutory notices?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	133	45.9	75.6
	no	36	12.4	20.5
	Don't know/unsure	7	2.4	4.0
	Total	176	60.7	100.0
Missing	no response	114	39.3
Total		290	100.0

Question 5b

and, if so, how exactly should these powers be enforced?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	Eviction notices	12	4.1	15.8
	Prevent sale or lease by law until work completed	35	12.1	46.1
	By a fine	3	1.0	3.9
	Difficult to enforce	5	1.7	6.6
	Other	21	7.2	27.6
	Total	76	26.2	100.0
Missing	no response	214	73.8
Total		290	100.0

Question 6

Do you agree local authorities should be able to suspend a notice and, if so, that this suspension should be limited so it only applies until the property is sold or let?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	136	46.9	80.5
	no	31	10.7	18.3
	Don't know/unsure	2	0.7	1.2
	Total	169	58.3	100.0
Missing	no response	121	41.7
Total		290	100.0

Question 7

Should local authorities be given powers to control occupation where owners cannot be identified?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	157	54.1	86.7
	no	22	7.6	12.2
	Don't know/unsure	2	0.7	1.1
	Total	181	62.4	100.0
Missing	no response	109	37.6
Total		290	100.0

Question 8

Should local authorities have power to meet the cost of the share of communal repairs due from owners who will not contribute their share (to allow the works to go ahead), linked to a changing order to recover the costs of the works and administration?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	171	59.0	92.9
	no	12	4.1	6.5
	Don't know/unsure	1	0.3	0.5
	Total	184	63.4	100.0
Missing	no response	106	36.6
Total		290	100.0

Question 9

Should local authorities have the power to inspect insurance policies of persons subject to the single notice?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	145	50.0	81.9
	no	32	11.0	18.1
	Total	177	61.0	100.0
Missing	no response	113	39.0
Total		290	100.0

The Tolerable Standard

Question 10

Are our proposed extensions to the Tolerable Standard the right ones?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	159	54.8	82.0
	no	32	11.0	16.5
	Don't know/unsure	3	1.0	1.5
	Total	194	66.9	100.0
Missing	no response	96	33.1
Total		290	100.0

Question 11

Should there be national guidance produced by the Scottish Executive on the interpretation of the Standard?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	173	59.7	93.0
	no	13	4.5	7.0
	Total	186	64.1	100.0
Missing	no response	104	35.9
Total		290	100.0

Question 12

Do you think that an action plan on below Tolerable Standard housing should be required in local housing strategies and that promoting the improvement of housing condition and quality should be a specified purpose?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	161	55.5	87.5
	no	20	6.9	10.9
	Don't know/unsure	3	1.0	1.6
	Total	184	63.4	100.0
Missing	no response	106	36.6
Total		290	100.0

Area Renewal

Question 13

Do you agree with the repeal of powers to declare Housing Action Areas and their replacement with powers to declare Housing Renewal Areas?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	154	53.1	92.2
	no	9	3.1	5.4
	Don't know/unsure	4	1.4	2.4
	Total	167	57.6	100.0
Missing	no response	123	42.4
Total		290	100.0

Question 14a

Are the criteria for declaring a Housing Renewal Area the right ones?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	131	45.2	83.4
	no	21	7.2	13.4
	Don't know/unsure	5	1.7	3.2
	Total	157	54.1	100.0
Missing	no response	133	45.9
Total		290	100.0

Question 14b

Should other criteria be included?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	50% criteria too high	14	4.8	41.2
	Extend to include environment and regeneration issues.	5	1.7	14.7
	Include structural issues.	2	0.7	5.9
	Other	4	1.4	11.8
	Criteria acceptable	7	2.4	20.6
	Include fire safety and security	1	0.3	2.9
	Local peoples' opinion	1	0.3	2.9
	Total	34	11.7	100.0
Missing	no response	256	88.3
Total		290	100.0

Question 15

Are the proposed procedures for designating Housing Renewal Areas appropriate?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	143	49.3	90.5
	no	12	4.1	7.6
	Don't know/unsure	3	1.0	1.9
	Total	158	54.5	100.0
Missing	no response	132	45.5
Total		290	100.0

Question 16

Are the proposed powers for local authorities following designation reasonable?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	146	50.3	92.4
	no	7	2.4	4.4
	Don't know/unsure	5	1.7	3.2
	Total	158	54.5	100.0
Missing	no response	132	45.5
Total		290	100.0

Assistance to Private Owners

Question 17

Do you agree with the introduction of a range of types of assistance?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	158	54.5	77.5
	no	43	14.8	21.1
	Don't know/unsure	3	1.0	1.5
	Total	204	70.3	100.0
Missing	no response	86	29.7
Total		290	100.0

Question 18

Are the types of assistance proposed the right ones?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	138	47.6	81.7
	no	24	8.3	14.2
	Don't know/unsure	7	2.4	4.1
	Total	169	58.3	100.0
Missing	no response	121	41.7
Total		290	100.0

Question 19

Do you agree with the proposals for amending the legislation on grants?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	142	49.0	86.6
	no	20	6.9	12.2
	Don't know/unsure	2	0.7	1.2
	Total	164	56.6	100.0
Missing	no response	126	43.4
Total		290	100.0

Question 20

With the exception of adaptations for disabled persons and fire precautions, should eligible works for financial assistance be limited to those relevant to the Tolerable and Scottish Housing Quality Standards?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	111	38.3	70.3
	no	46	15.9	29.1
	Don't know/unsure	1	0.3	0.6
	Total	158	54.5	100.0
Missing	no response	132	45.5
Total		290	100.0

Question 21

Do you agree that subsidised loan should be available as an alternative to grant?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	137	47.2	80.1
	no	30	10.3	17.5
	Don't know/unsure	4	1.4	2.3
	Total	171	59.0	100.0
Missing	no response	119	41.0
Total		290	100.0

Charging Orders

Question 22

Do you think that charging orders will be an effective means of releasing capital for carrying out repairs and improvements?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	Yes	135	46.6	81.8
	No	25	8.6	15.2
	Don't know/unsure	5	1.7	3.0
	Total	165	56.9	100.0
Missing	no response	125	43.1
Total		290	100.0

Question 23

Have we identified the circumstances in which it would be appropriate to use charging orders?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	131	45.2	83.4
	no	22	7.6	14.0
	Don't know/unsure	4	1.4	2.5
	Total	157	54.1	100.0
Missing	no response	133	45.9
Total		290	100.0

SINGLE SURVEY

Question 24

Should the Executive…

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	reserve powers to compel to make a single survey available	130	44.8	59.4
	commence such powers along with the rest of the Bill	27	9.3	12.3
	should this be left entirely to the market?	55	19.0	25.1
	reserve powers & commence along with bill	7	2.4	3.2
	Total	219	75.5	100.0
Missing	No response	71	24.5
Total		290	100.0

Question 25a

Should there be exemption from the requirement to provide a single survey?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	Yes	52	17.9	31.9
	No	107	36.9	65.6
	Don't know/unsure	4	1.4	2.5
	Total	163	56.2	100.0
Missing	no response	127	43.8
Total		290	100.0

Question 25b

and, if so, what classes of property should be exempted?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	All classes exempt	9	3.1	20.0
	Commercial Properties eg Bars, restaurants etc.	4	1.4	8.9
	Right to buy property	14	4.8	31.1
	Other	8	2.8	17.8
	Property still under builders warranty	10	3.4	22.2
	Total	45	15.5	100.0
Missing	no response	245	84.5
Total		290	100.0

Question 26a

Should there be a time limit on the survey?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	138	47.6	85.7
	no	20	6.9	12.4
	Don't know/unsure	3	1.0	1.9
	Total	161	55.5	100.0
Missing	no response	129	44.5
Total		290	100.0

Question 26b

and what should these limits be?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	3 - 5 months	32	11.0	27.8
	6 months	39	13.4	33.9
	1 year maximum	28	9.7	24.3
	2 - 5 years	12	4.1	10.4
	5 years and over	4	1.4	3.5
	Total	115	39.7	100.0
Missing	no response	175	60.3
Total		290	100.0

Question 27

What is an appropriate enforcement mechanism if the survey is not made available as required?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	A fine	39	13.4	27.3
	Recover costs from seller	21	7.2	14.7
	Prohibit sale	46	15.9	32.2
	Market forces/Voluntary	18	6.2	12.6
	Other	19	6.6	13.3
	Total	143	49.3	100.0
Missing	No response	147	50.7
Total		290	100.0

Question 28

Should powers be wide enough to require sellers to provide other information, such as proposed for the Purchaser's Information Pack, or should it be restricted to a single survey?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes, require other information	106	36.6	64.2
	no, restricted to single survey	54	18.6	32.7
	Don't know/unsure	5	1.7	3.0
	Total	165	56.9	100.0
Missing	no response	125	43.1
Total		290	100.0

Energy Performance Certificates

Question 29

There is the potential for sanctions to be applied where the EU Directive requirement on energy performance certificates is not complied with. What do you think would be appropriate sanctions?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	A fine	31	10.7	28.7
	Recover cost of certificate from seller	18	6.2	16.7
	Prohibit sale	18	6.2	16.7
	Market forces/Voluntary, no sanctions	30	10.3	27.8
	Other	11	3.8	10.2
	Total	108	37.2	100.0
Missing	No response	182	62.8
Total		290	100.0

Question 30

Should the energy performance certificate incorporate an A to G coloured banding energy rating, similar to the energy labels displayed when household appliances are retailed?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	133	45.9	80.6
	no	28	9.7	17.0
	Don't know/unsure	4	1.4	2.4
	Total	165	56.9	100.0
Missing	no response	125	43.1
Total		290	100.0

THE PRIVATELY RENTED SECTOR

The Repairing Standard

Question 31a

Are there any other elements that you would include in the modernised Repairing Standard for private landlords?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	68	23.4	41.5
	no	95	32.8	57.9
	Don't know/unsure	1	.3	.6
	Total	164	56.6	100.0
Missing	no response	126	43.4
Total		290	100.0

Question 31b

other elements?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	Heating	1	0.3	1.1
	Health and Safety	12	4.1	13.5
	External areas	4	1.4	4.5
	Decoration	4	1.4	4.5
	Structural Integrity	3	1.0	3.4
	Energy saving and Noise Insulation	8	2.8	9.0
	Other	27	9.3	30.3
	No other elements	30	10.3	33.7
	Total	89	30.7	100.0
Missing	no response	201	69.3
Total		290	100.0

Question 32

Do you agree with the proposed range of tenancies to which the new standard would apply?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	143	49.3	86.7
	no	21	7.2	12.7
	Don't know/unsure	1	0.3	0.6
	Total	165	56.9	100.0
Missing	no response	125	43.1
Total		290	100.0

Question 33

Should there be a statutory requirement that all written leases should include an explicit statement of the private landlords' repairing obligation?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	167	57.6	92.3
	no	13	4.5	7.2
	Don't know/unsure	1	0.3	0.6
	Total	181	62.4	100.0
Missing	no response	109	37.6
Total		290	100.0

The Private Rented Housing Tribunal

Question 34

What changes do you think would need to be made to the Rent Assessment Panel and Committees to equip them for their extended role?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	Training	21	7.2	16.9
	Support from professionals	9	3.1	7.3
	Equipment	2	0.7	1.6
	More power/funding	16	5.5	12.9
	Other	16	5.5	12.9
	As proposed	20	6.9	16.1
	Don't know	16	5.5	12.9
	Expand the range/number of people on the panel	15	5.2	12.1
	Committee does not need to change	9	3.1	7.3
	Total	124	42.8	100.0
Missing	No response	166	57.2
Total		290	100.0

Question 35

The name "Private Rented Housing Tribunal for Scotland" is a working title. Do you have any other suggestions for another name for the service?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	Anything shorter	8	2.8	6.0
	Prefer 'Panel' to 'Tribunal'	18	6.2	13.5
	'Scottish' rather than 'for Scotland'	3	1.0	2.3
	Accept title	16	5.5	12.0
	No alternative	69	23.8	51.9
	Other	19	6.6	14.3
	Total	133	45.9	100.0
Missing	No response	157	54.1
Total		290	100.0

Houses in Multiple Occupation

Question 36

Do you agree that a new legislative framework is necessary for Houses in Multiple Occupation?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	154	53.1	87.5
	no	20	6.9	11.4
	Don't know/unsure	2	0.7	1.1
	Total	176	60.7	100.0
Missing	no response	114	39.3
Total		290	100.0

Question 37a

Do you agree that the repeal of part VIII powers is a good idea?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	115	39.7	79.9
	no	18	6.2	12.5
	Don't know/unsure	11	3.8	7.6
	Total	144	49.7	100.0
Missing	no response	146	50.3
Total		290	100.0

Question 38a

Are you in favour of the proposed changes to the legislative framework for HMO licensing as set out?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	112	38.6	73.7
	no	35	12.1	23.0
	Don't know/unsure	5	1.7	3.3
	Total	152	52.4	100.0
Missing	no response	138	47.6
Total		290	100.0

Question 38b

Would you add to or question any of these changes?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	Might discourage private landlords	2	0.7	3.8
	Longer licensing period	6	2.1	11.5
	More punitive powers for landlords without a license	8	2.8	15.4
	Other	25	8.6	48.1
	no	5	1.7	9.6
	Landlords required to publicly display licence	6	2.1	11.5
	Total	52	17.9	100.0
Missing	no response	238	82.1
Total		290	100.0

Adaptations

Question 39

Do you have any comments on the possible introduction of a right for tenants with disabilities to carry out adaptations to their homes and how it would operate?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	Social rented sector more suitable	19	6.6	9.9
	By mutual agreement	30	10.3	15.6
	Re-instatement arrangements and costs an issue.	52	17.9	27.1
	Good idea, difficult in practice	12	4.1	6.3
	Other	19	6.6	9.9
	No comment	22	7.6	11.5
	Don't know/unsure	1	.3	.5
	Suggestions seem reasonable	27	9.3	14.1
	Third party to mediate	10	3.4	5.2
	Total	192	66.2	100.0
Missing	no response	98	33.8
Total		290	100.0

Extending the National Registration Scheme for Private Landlords

Question 40

Is it sensible to consider extending this scheme or will this place too great a regulatory burden on landlords?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes, consider extending this scheme	104	35.9	61.9
	no, too great a burden on landlords	60	20.7	35.7
	Don't know/unsure	4	1.4	2.4
	Total	168	57.9	100.0
Missing	no response	122	42.1
Total		290	100.0

Question 41

If the registration scheme is to be strengthened should this be on the basis of "certification" approach set out above?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes, on the basis of certification	104	35.9	77.6
	no, not on the basis of certification	27	9.3	20.1
	Don't know/unsure	3	1.0	2.2
	Total	134	46.2	100.0
Missing	no response	156	53.8
Total		290	100.0

Question 42

If the registration scheme is to be strengthened what conditions should be applied?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	Proposals acceptable	14	4.8	19.2
	Similar conditions to SST	5	1.7	6.8
	Deposits scheme	2	.7	2.7
	Safety and security of tenants should be paramount	10	3.4	13.7
	Cannot let without registration	8	2.8	11.0
	Don't know	9	3.1	12.3
	Other	25	8.6	34.2
	Total	73	25.2	100.0
Missing	No response	217	74.8
Total		290	100.0

Question 43

If the registration scheme is to be strengthened should this be as an alternative to the proposals for Private Sector Housing Tribunals?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes, as an alternative to tribunals	35	12.1	29.2
	no, not as an alternative to tribunals	78	26.9	65.0
	Don't know	7	2.4	5.8
	Total	120	41.4	100.0
Missing	no response	170	58.6
Total		290	100.0

Mobile Homes

Question 44

Do you agree with these proposals and, if not, why not?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	129	44.5	90.8
	no	10	3.4	7.0
	Don't know	3	1.0	2.1
	Total	142	49.0	100.0
Missing	no response	148	51.0
Total		290	100.0

Question 45

Will these proposals, taken with the existing legislation, adequately protect mobile home occupiers?

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent
Valid	yes	105	36.2	82.0
	no	16	5.5	12.5
	Don't know	7	2.4	5.5
	Total	128	44.1	100.0
Missing	no response	162	55.9
Total		290	100.0

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