At a meeting of the Housing and Community Safety Committee, councillors agreed to make the Tenancy Sustainment Fund a permanent part of the council’s housing support strategy.

The fund was launched in March 2024, to support tenants facing financial hardship and offers targeted financial assistance to help tenants reduce or clear rent arrears.

Overall, the fund has contributed to a £423,000 reduction in rent arrears, alongside a significant decrease in the number of tenants with high-level arrears.

The committee also approved a proposal to write off rent arrears in exceptional cases, for example, when a tenant is temporarily ineligible for benefits and has no means to pay.

Councillor Amber Dunbar, chair of Moray Council’s Housing and Community Safety Committee, said: “The Tenancy Sustainment Fund has proved to be a compassionate and effective way of supporting tenants during difficult times.

“It’s not just about financial help, it’s also about the relationships our housing officers have built with tenants, helping them put manageable payment plans in place.

“I have no doubt that the fund will play a key role in preventing homelessness, boosting rent recovery and supporting low-income tenants.”