Over half of Council homes in Edinburgh have now attained the Scottish benchmark standard for quality thanks to focused investment.

New figures show that 10,934 homes, 53% of the total housing stock, now meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS).

Council investment of £26m last year resulted in 4,719 householders being provided with modern kitchens and bathrooms, energy efficient central heating systems, windows and doors which make homes more safe and secure and upgrading of electrical rewiring.

This year £30m is focused on continuing the city’s progress on SHQS which includes:

* £11.2m invested in the Council’s flagship kitchen and bathroom programme benefiting around 1,500 householders


* £1.3m of rewiring to make homes comply with modern wiring safety standards and support energy efficiency

* £3m for internal upgrading especially relating to fire prevention in common stairs

* £1.8m being spent on upgrading single glazing to double glazing in 650 homes

* £0.4m for replacing lead water piping and water storage tanks for health and safety reasons

* £2.6m invested in central heating systems in 650 homes

Councillor Paul Edie, Housing Leader for The City of Edinburgh Council, said: "Having over half of our council homes attain the Scottish Housing Quality Standard is a real achievement and demonstrates this Council's determination to provide good quality homes for our tenants.

"This year’s increased investment, with over £10m alone being spent on bathrooms and kitchens, will see further improvements. Tenants have a right to expect the Council to ensure their properties are fit for purpose and I’m delighted that we are making such tremendous progress."

Betty Stevenson, Convenor of the Edinburgh Tenants Federation, said: "The updating of the existing stock is great as it’s bringing homes up to standard which has to be good for the tenants. It makes their homes much nicer and healthy places to live in."

The target for 100% compliance for Council homes meeting SHQS is December 2015.

(GK)