Housing Service 2025/26 annual report published

Orkney Islands Council’s Housing Services Annual Report for 2025-2026 has been published and details a strong performance across a number of areas, despite a challenging year for the service.

These include:

• Overall satisfaction with the service increased
• The properties are in good condition, with a low number of repairs per property
• A reduction in the average hours to complete an emergency repair
• A reduction in the average days to complete a non-emergency repair, and the service is delivering well against the current energy efficiency standards.

Areas where performance could be improved include:

• The recovery of rent arrears
• The time it takes to return empty properties to an appropriate standard so they can be re-let
• The time homeless households spend in temporary accommodation awaiting permanent housing; and
• Satisfaction with opportunities to participate in the Housing Service’s decision-making.

The Annual Report looks at how the service is performing in comparison to the previous two years and against similar local authorities – Shetland and Highland – and the Scottish average, using a series of national performance measures. 

These include the percentage of housing which meets the Scottish Housing Quality Standard, the percentage which meets the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing and the percentage of tenants satisfied with the overall service provided.

Chair of Education, Communities and Housing Committee Councillor Gwenda Shearer said: 

“I’m delighted to see a strong performance in many areas. Our properties are in good condition, we have a low number of repairs per property, we have delivered well against the energy efficiency standards we are required to meet and our current rent collection is high. However, there remains work to be done, including the time it takes to return empty properties to an appropriate standard so they can be re-let, recovery of rent arrears and opportunities to participate.

“Last year we undertook a significant piece of work around housing need and strategy development, and we have developed our business plan so we are very clear on how many additional properties we can build. In 2025/26 we purchased 19 properties and we intend to build up to 150 over the next decade, working with partners including Orkney Housing Association and Places for People Scotland.

“We are very aware of the financial challenges which continue to affect our tenants as a result of the ongoing cost of living crisis. Please remember that our staff are here to help support tenants through these difficult times.

“I’d like to thank staff, our contractors and our tenants for their commitment and contributions over another challenging year. We really appreciate your feedback, as this helps us to improve.”

The full report is available here - Housing Services Annual Reports. 

Paper copies, or reports in a different language or format, can be obtained by calling 01856 873535 or emailing housing@orkney.gov.uk.

Tenants who are interested in finding out more about Tenant Participation, or have an interest in attending the Residents’ Panel, should contact Claire Pritchard on 01856 873535 or email claire.pritchard@orkney.gov.uk.