First tenants move into Lerwick mid-market rental homes
THE FIRST tenants have begun to move into six new mid-market rental properties in Lerwick’s North Road.
There were 73 applicants for the six one-bedroom properties after they were advertised at the end of March, with the first tenants given the keys to their homes last week.
The houses were built by DITT Construction and are being operated by arms-length organisation Shetland Mid-Market Homes (SMMH), through a project started by Shetland Islands Council (SIC).
Shetland Mid-Market Homes is a partnership between the SIC and Scottish Futures Trust Investments to deliver private residential tenancies as an affordable housing option in Shetland.
People unlikely to gain enough points for council housing – but not earning enough to rent in the private market – were targeted to take on the homes.
The only criteria for applying for the North Road properties was a connection to Shetland, and an income band of between £30,000 to £50,000 per household.
Each flat comes with a double bedroom, large bathroom, outdoor storage area and white goods included.
George Martin of SMMH said they were “delighted” to see the first tenants move in to the properties.
“We plan to continue to expand our portfolio of mid-market homes properties in future, wherever possible, to provide affordable housing options for people on low to moderate incomes,” he said.
“We hope to support access to high-quality housing, while offering rents below typical market levels.”
The six properties were unveiled at a media briefing in February, with the SIC saying they hoped the North Road flats would be the first in a portfolio of mid-market projects across the isles.
Council expects ‘high demand’ as it unveils new mid-market rental flats in Lerwick
Councillor Dennis Leask, chairman of the council’s development committee, said then that he was “absolutely delighted” with the quality of the flats.
And the SIC’s senior project manager Craig Nicolson said the properties were “warm”, “modern and energy efficient” – with air to air heating included as standard.
Nicolson and development director Neil Grant said it was estimated that just five per cent of Shetland properties were privately rented, less than half of the figure across mainland Scotland.
Grant said there were a “lot of people sitting in the queue for social housing” who were “never likely to get in” because they did not have enough points.
“It’s holding Shetland back economically,” he added.
Rent for the mid properties is set to be £545 per month. Nicolson explained this sat between council rent – at around £390 per month – and an estimated £740 for private rentals.
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