North east housing company Osprey launching new digital letting platform to help applicants
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SOCIAL landlord firm Osprey Housing have announced a new digital system to help connect potential tenants find specific properties.
Osprey Housing, which own 488 homes in Moray, is launching a new service which allows applicants to join a waiting list for certain homes for the first time.
The company, which currently relies on direct local authority nominations, hopes the new service will make things easier for applicants as they can select the right home in the right area.
Osprey director of housing Dan Thompson said the digital scheme system, called These Homes, will have a range of benefits.
He said: "Using These Homes gives tenants significantly more choice over where they choose to live, not only in terms of the type of property but also in terms of being able to choose specific locations across local authority areas.
"Changing how we allocate our homes also forms part of wider strategic direction for Osprey and this is a positive step towards delivering accessible housing options as well as a key part of our digital strategy."
Osprey will allocate 50 per cent of all new-build properties — including those coming online this summer at Lossiemouth — using These Homes.
In the meantime, Osprey is continuing to work with Moray, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils through a pass-based system based on their specific needs, rather than a more traditional points-based allocations system.
Applicants who have suffered domestic abuse, for example, or are in temporary accommodation will continue to be prioritised under the pass-based system.
In the same way, an applicant with specific health issues would have more chance of a property with level access or a wet room.
Across the north east, Osprey currently owns and manages approximately 1,800 properties and is one of 16 social Scottish social landlords using the new scheme.
Anyone interested in applying for an Osprey home is now being asked to register at https://www.thesehomes.com/
Existing tenants are also urged to register if they are considering a move.
