Housing Co-operative or Housing Association – the difference?
Did you know that in being a tenant member of a co-op, you are a member with a voting share and we are 100% governed by an elected group of tenants (the Committee of Management).
Whereas, in a housing association, whilst tenants have the same secure tenancy (just like a co-op) they do not have the same democratic relationship with their landlord.
Your WGHC Committee is made up of 100% tenant members – all of whom live within a WGHC property and stay in the community, unlike that of a Housing Association.
Housing Co-op
Members (Membership)
Getting a tenancy
Who sits on the Board/ Committee
Decision Making
➜ Tenant Members only
➜ Tenant Members only
➜ Tenant Members only
Each year, we ask tenants to attend the AGM. We also ask tenants to submit a nomination form to be elected on to the Committee at the AGM. However, we have become aware that some of our tenants are a bit unsure of the difference between a housing co-op and a housing association.
In the table below, we have tried to give some examples to help highlight the key differences:
Housing Association
➜ Any person over the age of 16 can apply to become a member of a housing association
➜ Any person over the age of 16 can apply for a tenancy (no membership required)
➜ Members over the age of 18 years only
➜ Tenant governed
➜ Member governed Control
➜ Tenant controlled (through the Committee)
Number of Members required at AGM
➜ 10% (38 Members required to attend our AGM)
➜ WGHC has 372 tenant members, so we need a minimum of 10% of to attend
➜ This means we need at least 38 Tenant Members to attend our AGM each year
➜ Member controlled (though the Board)
➜ 10% But housing associations may only have a handful of members, so it is not difficult for them to have the required numbers at their AGM. For example:
➜ Prospect Housing Association has 56 members so they only need a minimum of 6 members to attend their AGM
➜ Muirhouse Housing Association has only 38 members so they only need a minimum of 4 members to attend their AGM
Housing Co-operative or Housing Association… cont.
Over the next few months, we will be sending out more information to all our tenant members about attending the AGM in September, along with additional information about what is involved in being a Committee Member.
If you are interested in finding out more meanwhile, please contact the WGHC Office and we can arrange for you to meet with some existing Committee members to find out what it’s like to sit on the Committee, what is involved and what benefits there are to serving your community.
Rent Increase 2026-2027
This year our tenants were consulted on 2 proposed rent increases: 5.5% and 6.0% 22.8% of WGHC tenants responded, 85 out of 372. Of the tenants that responded, 66.7% voted in favour of the 6.0% rent increase, which represent 2/3rd of the respondents. 33.3% voted in favour of the 5.5% rent increase.
However, on 18th February 2026, the Committee of Management met and having given the matter due consideration and accepting the cost of living situation facing all WGHC tenants, decided to implement the lower of the rent increase options, i.e. 5.5%
The rent increase of 5.5% was approved WGHC continues to offer one of the lowest rents for a social landlord in the Edinburgh area.
All rent payments are due on a weekly basis or by payment in advance. You can choose to pay your rent by monthly direct debit (payments will be taken on the 1st day of each month), cash or debit card in the office, over the phone by debit card or bank standing order.
As always, if you wish to discuss changes or payment options, please contact the Housing Management Team on 0131 551 5035 or alternatively you can email the team at hm@westgrantonhc.co.uk If you are worried or struggling with your rent, please contact the office. We are not here to judge you, we are here to help you, but equally, it is important you do engage with us if you are experiencing difficulties so as to prevent putting your tenancy at risk.
Gas Safety Checks / Electrical Installation Condition Report
Tenants are respectfully reminded that we have a legal duty to undertake an annual gas safety check within every WGHC property. This is the law.
Please assist us in this matter by allowing our gas contractor access once a year to undertake this statutory task. Failure with this requirement could result in your gas supply being capped / turned off.
WGHC also has a legal duty to undertake an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) within every WGHC property every 5 years. Failure to allow this could result in your electricity supply being turned off. Thank you in anticipation. If you wish to discuss these, call the office: 0131 551 5035
Rent Increase and your Universal Credit journal
For
WGHC tenants in receipt of Universal Credit, you will be required to login and update your journal to reflect the rent increase for the year ahead. During the first week of April, the DWP should send a “To Do” notification to your journal. Be aware of this and keep an eye out for it.
It is important that you complete the “To Do” on your journal as soon as possible, but not early Sign in to your Universal Credit online journal at www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk/sign-in and follow these simple steps, Steps to Update the UC Journal (April 2026):
➜ Log into the UC journal on or after 6 April 2026. ➜ (this is the official date of the increase stated in our previous rent increase notification letter to you).
➜ A prompt titled “Confirm your housing costs” will appear on the “To-do List”.
➜ Click on the “To-Do” and select ‘Yes’ to confirm that housing costs have changed.
➜ Enter New Rent Amount: Enter your new weekly rent amount here
➜ Use the February rent increase letter from WGHC to enter the new weekly rent amount accurately.
➜ Confirm Service Charges: WGHC do not levy service charges additionally to the rent.
➜ Submit Before Deadline: Complete the task before the end of the April 2026 Assessment Period to ensure the new rent is paid and to avoid accumulating arrears.
Key Considerations
Do Not Report Early: Do not enter the new amount before the date of the increase (6 April 2026).
Housing Benefit: If you are on Housing Benefit, not Universal Credit, you do not need to update your journal; the council will update the rent automatically.
Direct Support: If unable to use the online journal, you must call the Universal Credit helpline on: 0800 328 5644 – or contact the HM team on 0131 551 5035.
Damp & Mould Reports / Awaab’s Law in Scotland
Most of you will be aware either from the news or from previous WGHC website and newsletter articles, of the implementation of Awaab’s Law which was introduced in law in England in October 2025. The first phase of Awaab’s Law, relating specifically to damp and mould, was due to be introduced in Scotland in March 2026 but has now been postponed until October 2026.
WGHC are taking robust and proactive steps to deal with all reported cases of either damp, mould or condensation. This includes the appointment of Richardson & Starling – specialist contractors in this area. In addition, 5 WGHC staff have undertaken training to be considered ‘competent’ persons to
undertake initial triage visits following reports of damp or mould from tenants.
However, we have, unfortunately, also found cases of damp and mould that have not been reported by our tenants – which is surprising and disappointing. If you see, or experience any issues of, damp and mould or extreme condensation, please, please report it immediately to the WGHC office or by emailing maintenance@westgrantonhc.co.uk
Asset Management Visits
We have previously advised in past newsletters that we will visit your home once every 2 years to undertake an asset management visit. This is a benchmark requirement of the Committee of Management and is one of the ways in which we, as your landlord, can take stock of the property condition in support of ensuring the home in which you live is suitably wind and watertight in all respects The purpose of the visit is to check:
➜ the external condition of the property, walls, windows, rising damp, brickwork, guttering, roofing, garden and pathways etc.
➜ the internal condition of the property, i.e. walls, ceilings, floors, lighting, smoke detectors, fuse board, boiler, heating controls, fitted kitchen,
flooring, bathroom suite, extractor fans, attic space and stairs (if applicable) – to ensure there is no damage, damp or mould and no hazards that may harm you as our tenant.
We are not assessing how you live or your personal choice of decoration. We are looking to find out whether any work is required to be undertaken within, or to, the property. To help us do this, we will take ‘generic’ (non-personal) photos of the condition of the above listed areas or items.
We will require your assistance to allow us to access your home to perform the visit that will be undertaken every 2 years. It is a vital element to our overall strategy of protecting your home and ensuring we are compliant with ever changing housing and safety legislation.
Grass Cutting (Garden Aid) and Service Strips
For WGHC tenants in receipt of the Garden Aid Service (grass cutting approved by Committee and undertaken by Glendale, the application process for the service is closed and our Housing Management Team have notified recipients accordingly. Tenants are reminded that the ‘cutting season’ is between April
7th April 2026 – Grass Cut
28th April 2026 – Grass Cut
26th May 2026 – Grass Cut
23rd June 2026 – Grass Cut
21st July 2026 – Grass Cut
18th August 2026 – Grass Cut
15th September 2026 – Grass Cut
Tenants are reminded that Glendale will strim at the edge of fence areas and mow the grass using appropriate tools. They will not weed driveways, pathways or strim underneath railings / beyond boundaries etc. Glendale staff will not cut grass in
and October, never before and never after. If you wish your grass to be cut outside of the season, you will be required to make your own arrangements.
The grass will be cut by Glendale on these dates (weather permitting, of course).
14th April 2026 – Weed & Feed only
12th May 2026 – Grass Cut
9th June 2026 – Grass Cut
7th July 2026 – Grass Cut
4th August 2026 – Grass Cut
1st September 2026 – Weed & Feed only
6th October 2026 – Grass Cut
the event that dog/cat foul is present on the lawn. Glendale will also undertake 12 cuts per year to the grass services strips that were previously undertaken by the City of Edinburgh Council but ceased at the end of 2024.
Re-introduction of planned component replacement works programmes
We previously advised within the last newsletter that WGHC would be seeking to re-commence the planned component replacement works programmes. This will be published on the WGHC website in due course but is also indicated below for ease of reference:
Period
Spring 2026
Spring / Summer 2026
Planned Works
45 x Temporary Wireless Smoke Alarm System – FQ Flats
77 x Electrical Installation Condition Reports various WGHC addresses –notified separately via letter 47 x Consumer Unit (Fuse Board) Replacements
Summer 2026
Summer 2026
Spring / Summer 2027
Summer 2027
Summer 2027
67 x Kitchens in Granton Mains Avenue, Brae and Bank / WPD / WFP / CC
72 x Painterworks to Soffit Board, fascias, window frames & cills, doors and frames at Ferry Road Avenue, West Pilton Park and Craigmuir Place
139 x Electrical Installation Condition Reports 74 x Consumer Units (Fuse Board) Replacements
69 x Kitchens in Granton Mains, Court, Gait, Vale, Wynd 1 x Kitchen West Pilton Terrace
Painterworks to Granton Mains Areas – TBC
Spring / Summer 2028 50 x Window & Door Replacements to Granton Mill homes – TBC
Summer 2028
45 x Bathroom Replacement programme to FQ Flats
Spring / Summer 2029 51 x Window & Door Replacements to Granton Mill homes – TBC
Summer 2029
11 x Bathroom Replacement to West Pilton Bank
Summer / Autumn 2029 Replacement Interlinked Smoke Alarms, 330 x homes
Summer 2030
72 x Bathrooms to Ferry Road Avenue, West Pilton Park and Craigmuir Place
Lithium-ion Batteries –Charging safeguards
Tenants are reminded of the dangers associated with the unsupervised and/or overnight charging of lithium-ion batteries such as those used within e-bikes, e-scooters, electronic cigarettes (vapes) etc. within their homes, especially, hallways or escape routes – meaning you could be trapped somewhere in the event one were to go on fire.
If the batteries do catch fire, the fire will escalate faster due to battery chemistry and they cannot be put out by water, foam, powder or CO2 standard fire extinguishers – specialist firefighting tactics are required.
“On Wednesday 18 March 2026, a teenager died whilst his friend was placed in an induced coma after an electric bike exploded at a flat in south London. Promising young footballer, Tommy Ballay-Dean, 16, died at his friend Shauny Halsey’s home on Cooper’s Road, Southwark, on Wednesday after a fire broke out. Tommy was tragically pronounced dead at the scene, while Shauny was rushed to King’s College Hospital with life-threatening burns.”
The fire service took 1hour and 37minutes to extinguish the blaze due to the complexity of the fire.
Fire Alarm upgrade works FQ Flats
We have previously notified tenants of the ongoing cladding issues at the 45 flats we own within Colonsay Close and Waterfront Park (known locally as the Forth Quarter flats).
Whilst all appropriate plans are being implemented (currently at the design stage), the Scottish Government have provided grant funding to WGHC in order that the current fire alarm system can be upgraded even further.
The system has had specialist engineers attend and design a bespoke wireless system that will ‘talk’
to the existing hard wired system and fire alarm panels, ensuring enhanced cover until such time that the cladding remediation works have been fully implemented.
The contract was awarded to OpenView and their personnel have been on site undertaking preparatory works since 19th March 2026. The upgraded fire alarm system should be fully installed and completed by mid-April whereupon, tenants living within the FQ flats will be provided with updated information regarding the “action to be taken in the event of a fire” – more to follow in the next newsletter and on the WGHC website.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting charity for young children aged 0-5. Dolly wants to guarantee access to books, inspire a lifelong love of reading and help children reach their full potential.
The imagination library sends a carefully selected, age appropriate, book in the post, every month, to all registered children from birth until their 5th birthday. The books are addressed to each child and over 1,000,000 children worldwide are part of the imagination library.
West Granton Housing Co-operative working in partnership with the imagination library means there is no cost to you, as our tenant. So please get in touch with the office on 0131 551 5035 or download the registration form from our website so that we can register your details on the imagination library system and any of your children who are aged under 5 years can start receiving their books!
Power of Attorney in Scotland
And why you should think about getting one
Q. What is a power of attorney?
A. A power of attorney (PoA) is a written document giving someone else authority to take actions or make decisions on your behalf. It could be used in the future if you become incapable of making your own decisions about your finances or welfare.
Q. Who can make a PoA?
A. Anyone over the age of 16 can make a PoA, but there are restrictions if you have been made bankrupt.
Q. What does incapable mean?
A. Your capacity could be impaired gradually or suddenly as a result of an accident or illness. A registered and licensed medical doctor will be able to say whether you are incapable or not.
Q. What would happen if I don’t have a PoA?
A. No one has an automatic right to take actions on your behalf without legal authority. If you are unable to make decisions about your affairs, your family or friends may have to go to court to get the authority to act on your behalf.
Q. Is a PoA not for older people?
A. No, nobody likes to think that they may not be able to look after their self but accidents or illness can happen to anyone.
Q. Who can I appoint as my attorney?
A. You can appoint anyone you want, over the age of 16. This could be a family member or a friend, a solicitor or accountant, or a combination. You can appoint someone to deal with your financial matters and someone different to deal with your personal welfare.
Q. Where can I get further help or information?
A. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau or solicitor may be able to help or alternatively you can contact: Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) Telephone: 01324 678300 Website: www.publicguardian-scotland.gov.uk
Office Closures: Easter 2026 / Spring Holiday
The WGHC office will be closed for both the Easter and Spring Bank Holiday breaks as per the following:
➜ Easter 2026: Friday, 3rd April 2026 & Easter Monday 6th April 2026
➜ Spring Holiday 2026: Friday 22nd May & Monday 25th May 2026
If things go wrong, whilst the office is closed:
Our out of hours emergency call centre will be able to contact key staff in the event of a serious incident. The 3 main numbers for help whilst the office is closed are:
The main number to call is: 0131 608 1447 – Aquarius Call Centre
If you have a gas emergency: 0131 440 4666 – Lothian Gas
If you have a water emergency: 0800 077 8778 – Scottish Water
Please refer to the WGHC website for additional information that will be helpful to you. You can also use the website to report a repair (non-emergency) and make general enquiries.
There is also always a member of WGHC staff ‘on call’ during evenings, weekends and holiday periods –the Aquarius call centre are able to contact the relevant member of WGHC staff directly and if necessary.
t 0131 551 5035
e mail@westgrantonhc.co.uk
w www.westgrantonhousing.coop
Out-of-office emergencies: 0131 608 1447
Downsizing through WGHC’s internal transfer list
Is your home too big for you?
➜ Would you like to move to a smaller property?
➜ Did you know WGHC operates its own Internal Housing Transfer List and this list is only open to WGHC tenants?
If your house is too big for your needs you could apply to move to a smaller but still suitable property.
If you are looking to downsize but the cost of moving is putting you off, WGHC may be able to offer some assistance with removal costs. If you would like to
Your
Committee
Your Committee work tirelessly in the best interests of all tenants, your homes and the wider WGHC estate in general. We have 9 x fully elected members and 1 x co-opted member. We are seeking more tenant members to give some of their time in support of the Committee and your co-operative.
Minutes of Committee meetings are published on our website and can be found here: https://www.westgrantonhousing.coop/about-wghc/ work-of-the-committee/
Please take the time to look and see the work and effort that Committee members and WGHC staff take in support of all WGHC tenants.
Committee have had to get involved in ‘fast track’ learning of the complexities of the construction of some of our properties, alongside legislation relating to the cladding and the effect that these scenarios have had on the 5 year, 10 year and 30 years plans for the co-operative.
know more contact Sheena Farrell or a member of the Housing Management team on 0131 551 5035 or email mail@westgrantonhc.co.uk
Committee members have given so much of their free time to attend further meetings and training events in order to better understand the issues facing the co-op in an effort to ensure the ongoing viability and resilience for the near and distant future.
Your Committee members are: Colin Fraser (Chair)
• Lynn Jameson (Vice Chair) • Amanda Aitchison • Jim Hemphill • Alan Lamont • Cheryl Miller (co-optee)
• Morag Orr • Liz Robertson • Elizabeth Stewart • George Thomson
We have 2 positions available on the Committee for co-optees, until the next round of elections in September 2026.
If you are interested in a position on the Committee and want to have a say in your local community, please contact Larke Adger, CEO or David Mills, COO –either of whom, will be delighted to help you. Please feel free to call on 0131 551 5035.
