A new scheme to help homeowners and private landlords to repair, maintain and improve their properties has been launched in East Lothian.

The Scheme of Assistance is a major part of new housing legislation that aims to improve the condition of properties in the private sector. It recognises that improving the condition of private properties benefits the wider community as well as individual owners.

While poorly-maintained properties can be an eyesore, depending on the level of deterioration they can also pose a risk to health and safety.

The majority of properties in East Lothian are privately owned. Research published by the Scottish Government found that 64% of the county's private sector housing is in disrepair, with 29% of those properties considered to be in urgent disrepair during 2007.

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In developing the Scheme of Assistance the Council consulted with a range of housing, advice and community-based organisations, including Care and Repair East Lothian, Energy Saving Scotland advice centre, Changeworks, Citizens Advice Bureaux and East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel.

Through the scheme, East Lothian Council will help homeowners and private landlords to repair, maintain, improve and adapt their properties through dedicated professional advice and, where appropriate, access to practical assistance. The scheme was approved at a meeting of the Council's Cabinet on 27 March and came into force on 1 April.

Cabinet member for Housing Councillor Stuart Currie said: "The Scheme of Assistance will help private landlords and homeowners to maintain properties by giving them access to a range of expert and trustworthy advice and information.

"Previously, any support was limited to financial assistance through the grants system and, even then, it only applied to certain types of repairs. However, this wasn't enough to help improve the condition of properties.

"It's been recognised that owners need more and better information that will help them to assess what work is required, commission repairs and set-up a long-term maintenance plan. Finance is only part of the equation."

(GK)