RECORD INVESTMENT ANNOUNCED BY OCHIL VIEW

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Of this total over £2m will be spent on work associated with meeting the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and this will involve the installation of 150 new kitchens, 231 new bathrooms, 153 new windows, 117 new external doors and 207 new central heating or boiler replacements at various locations throughout its 1300 properties.

Quote from George Tainsh (Director)

“The level of investment planned for our existing properties during 2009/2010 is a record for the Association and shows the Associations commitment to maintaining the quality of housing for existing tenants.

Although ultimately this investment ensures that the Association continues to meet its obligations in relation to the Scottish Housing Quality Standard this has not happened by chance as the Association is deliberately accelerating its planned maintenance programme for 2009/2010 to take advantage of the reduction in VAT and a period of low interest rates.

This not only makes sense from a value for money perspective but also will allow the Association to do what it can to assist the local construction industry and help the economy generally.”

The Association has also announced its rent increase for 2009/2010 at between 5.2% and 5.7% which is lower than would have been expected due to the unexpected reduction in inflation during the third quarter of 2008/2009.

Further Quote from George Tainsh (Director)

“Having consulted tenants on our proposals for both investment in their homes and the proposed rent increase we believe that we have struck an acceptable balance between investment and rent levels - investing more than originally planned whilst keeping the rent increase lower than it would have been if we had applied a previously agreed formula.

Hopefully tenants will recognise the importance the Association places on its existing tenants and properties whilst it continues to build new homes throughout the county”.

For further information: contact George Tainsh (Director) on 01259 722899