This service is managed by Housing and Homelessness
Your tenancy
All council tenants receive a tenants' handbook when they start their tenancy. This covers your rights and responsibilities as a Scottish Secure Tenant. If you do not have a copy, contact us on 01856 873535, extension 2180.
Related resources
-
Scottish secure tenants rights leaflet
This document contains a plain-language summary of Scottish secure tenants’ legal rights with Orkney Islands Council. It covers tenancy agreements, joint tenancies, subletting, home exchanges, succession after a tenant’s death, repairs, improvements, eviction and security of tenure. It also explains short Scottish secure tenancies and lists sources of housing and legal advice.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
-
Tenancy matters leaflet
This document contains a plain-language guide to council tenants’ rights and responsibilities, including caring for their home, respecting neighbours and avoiding discrimination. It explains how complaints about nuisance, harassment and anti-social behaviour are investigated, and how issues may be addressed through discussion, mediation, support or legal action. Eviction is described as a last resort.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
-
Orkney Housing Association Ltd(opens in new tab)
-
Scottish Social Housing Charter(opens in new tab)
Any changes to your tenancy, such as taking in a lodger or adding a joint tenant, may affect your benefit entitlement. It is your responsibility to inform the benefits team of any changes.
Changes to your tenancy
Ending your tenancy
You must give us 4 weeks' written notice by completing the standard renunciation form. Notice runs from the date we receive it. If you do not give notice, you remain liable for rent until the tenancy ends.
When you leave, the property must be returned in a suitable condition for incoming tenants. Costs for repairing damage caused by decoration or other works may be recharged to you.
Related resources
-
Standard renunciation form
This document contains a form for giving Orkney Islands Council 28 days’ notice to end a housing tenancy. It includes sections for tenant and joint tenant signatures, dates, a forwarding address, and ending occupancy rights under the Matrimonial Homes Act. It also asks why the tenancy is ending and whether a garage or garage plot tenancy should be ended. Information on occupancy rights and sources of legal advice is provided.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
-
Condition of property on departure
This document contains guidance for Orkney Islands Council tenants on leaving their home at the end of a tenancy, including transfers and mutual exchanges. It explains required repairs, cleaning, rubbish removal and returning the property to its original condition; tenants may be charged if the Council completes outstanding work. It also covers meter readings, mail redirection, Council Tax, benefits, furniture left behind and support from local reuse schemes.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Changing to a joint tenancy
If you are the sole tenant, you can ask in writing to add a joint tenant who lives with you or plans to. We cannot refuse unreasonably, but we will consider factors such as potential overcrowding or ongoing enforcement action. Joint tenants are jointly and severally liable for the tenancy, including paying rent.
Related resources
-
Joint tenancy leaflet
This document contains information about joint tenancies, including how to apply and when the Council may refuse a request. It explains that all joint tenants share equal rights and responsibility for rent and other tenancy debts. The leaflet covers the possible benefits and risks, including help with rent costs, access to credit and responsibility for arrears. It also explains spouses’ legal rights to live in the family home, which don’t require a joint tenancy.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Assigning your tenancy
You can apply to transfer your tenancy to someone else if they have lived in the property as their main home for at least 12 months and we give written permission. We will not refuse unreasonably but will consider factors such as property suitability and the risk of antisocial behaviour. If we refuse, you have the right to appeal to the Sheriff.
Sub-letting
You must have our written permission to sub-let your property. If you do sub-let, you remain responsible for rent arrears, damage and any tenancy breaches caused by your sub-tenant. If we refuse permission, you can appeal to the Sheriff.
Taking in a lodger
You must have our written permission before taking in a lodger. A lodger is someone you are providing services to, such as cleaning. Renting a room without providing services is likely to be a sub-let. Taking in a lodger may affect your benefits and may have tax implications.
Pets
Most council tenants are automatically permitted to keep up to two domestic animals. Check your tenancy agreement, as there are some exceptions. You need our permission for non-domestic or exotic animals, or to keep more than two pets. Pets must not cause damage, nuisance, noise or fouling problems. If they do, we can withdraw permission and require them to be removed.
Running a business from home
You need our written permission to run a business from your council home, including activities such as teaching or any enterprise for financial gain. Conditions apply, and the business must not cause nuisance to neighbours or breach planning requirements.
Decorating
Decorating is your responsibility. We offer a decoration grant to help new tenants with initial costs, depending on the condition of the property. Loans may also be available in some circumstances. Contact us for details.
Moving home
Moving to a smaller home
If your current home is larger than you need, you may be entitled to a Removal Grant to help with the cost of moving to a smaller council or OHAL property. The scheme is available in areas of high demand such as Kirkwall and Stromness, and may apply elsewhere where demand can be demonstrated. Contact us for current figures and eligibility criteria.
Related resources
-
Removal grant leaflet
This document contains guidance on Orkney Islands Council’s Removal Grant Scheme for tenants moving from a larger home to a suitable smaller one. It explains eligibility, grant payments of £1,041 to £1,643 depending on the size reduction, reasons applications may be refused, and available exemptions. It also covers how to apply, the one-month decision period, appeals, monitoring and contact details.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Moving to a larger home
If your current home is too small for your household, apply for a transfer by completing a housing application form. If you qualify for priority due to overcrowding, a Gold priority pass will be awarded.
Related resources
-
Complete housing application
This document contains an application for social rented housing in Orkney through the Common Housing Register, managed by Orkney Islands Council and Orkney Housing Association Ltd. It asks about the applicant’s household, current and past housing, housing needs, support, homelessness, and preferred areas and property types. It also includes declarations, consent to share information, document requirements, and an equal opportunities monitoring form.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Mutual exchange
As a Scottish Secure Tenant, you have a legal right to exchange your home with another Scottish Secure Tenant, including tenants of other social landlords. You both need your landlord's written consent first, and this can only be refused on reasonable grounds.
To apply, you and the other tenant must both submit a Housing Application Form to our Housing Management Section. We will make a decision within one month of receiving both applications. If your application is refused, you have the right to appeal.
Related resources
-
Mutual exchanges policy
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s procedures for mutual exchanges between social housing tenants. It explains the legal right to exchange, when consent may be refused, and how medical needs, household size, overcrowding and adapted homes are considered. It sets out the application process, including the one-month response time, written decisions and appeal rights. The document also includes application forms, staff checklists and template letters for approved or refused exchanges.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Succession (inheriting a tenancy)
If a tenant dies, the tenancy can pass to a qualifying person in the following order of priority:
- A spouse or cohabitee who has lived in the property as their main home. Cohabitees must have done so for at least 12 months before the tenant's death.
- A family member who has lived in the property as their main home for at least 12 months and is over 16.
- A carer who was living in the property as their main home at the time of death, is over 16, and gave up their own accommodation to care for the tenant.
Contact us for further information on succession and your rights.
Tenant Participation
We are committed to involving tenants in decisions that affect them. We work with Orkney Housing Association to offer a range of ways to get involved, from local tenants' groups to online surveys and panels.
Ways to get involved
- Local tenants' groups and residents' associations
- Resident issue-based focus groups
- Postal and online surveys and questionnaires
- The Resident Panel, which examines specific service areas and makes recommendations for improvement. The Panel is shared with OHAL, so tenants from both organisations can take part.
- The Armchair Panel, which lets you take part in consultations from home, by post, online or by phone, choosing only the subjects that interest you
To get involved or find out more, contact the Tenant Participation Officer on 01856 873535.
Residents' Associations
There are currently two registered Residents' Associations in Orkney: Grieveship Residents' Association and Flotta Burnside Residents' Association.
If you are interested in setting up a residents' association in your area, we can help with advice, practical support and funding. We offer a Start Up Grant of up to £500 for establishment costs, training and surveys, as well as an Annual Grant based on the number of council homes in your area. One-off grants may also be available for training, travel and surveys.
All councils and housing associations must keep a register of tenants' and residents' associations. You can apply to register your association if any of your members are council or OHAL tenants.
Related resources
-
Tenant participation leaflet
This document contains information about tenants’ rights to have a say in how Orkney Islands Council’s housing service is run. It explains the Tenant Participation Strategy, support for residents’ groups, registration requirements and the issues tenants can help shape. It also describes ways to take part, including surveys, meetings, focus groups and the Residents’ Panel, with contact details for Housing Services.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
-
Tenant participation strategy
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s Tenant Participation Strategy for 2026 to 2031. It explains how tenants can help shape housing services through panels, residents’ groups, surveys, meetings and other forms of engagement. The strategy aims to make participation inclusive, remove barriers and show how feedback influences decisions, while setting out plans for training, resources, performance monitoring and possible tenant-led scrutiny. An appendix explains how tenants’ organisations and residents’ associations can register with the Council.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Housing News
Housing News is our newsletter for council tenants, published three times a year. It covers updates on council services, housing policy and legislation, and opportunities to share your views. Recent editions are available in the downloads below.
Related resources
-
OIC Housing Newsletter Summer 2026
This document contains the Summer 2026 issue of Orkney Islands Council’s Housing News newsletter. It covers tenant participation, the Armchair Panel, housing service updates, rent spending, removal grants and water safety checks. It also includes advice on smart meters, energy costs, benefits, pensions and support from Citizens Advice, plus information for families and people living with cancer or heart conditions. Contact details for housing, homelessness and emergency services are provided.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Annual reports and publications
We publish an annual assurance statement and annual reports each year, setting out our performance against the Scottish Social Housing Charter.