A survey could be carried out to make sure private landlords in Angus are renting out homes that are fit for purpose.
Funding of up to £80,000 is being recommended for approval to investigate whether the county’s private sector housing is up to scratch.
The proposal will come before members of Angus Council’s communities committee at its meeting in Forfar’s County Buildings today.
If approved, the council will advertise for a consultant to undertake a private sector stock condition survey of 1,200 homes during the summer.
The survey would then be analysed by the winning contractor and the findings will be presented to Angus Council by the autumn.
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 places a statutory requirement on local authorities to prepare a Local Housing Strategy (LHS) supported by an assessment of housing need and demand.
The scope of the LHS has recently been broadened and it is now the sole strategic document, addressing housing issues across all tenures.
The requirements of Section 10 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 reinforce its application to the private sector.
It is now a statutory requirement for the LHS to show how the local authority’s policies on enforcement and assistance will improve private house conditions.
The Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 also places a duty on local authorities to ensure that all houses in their area that do not meet the tolerable standard are closed, demolished or brought up to the standard.
Vivien Smith, Angus Council’s head of planning and place, said: “The LHS acknowledged our gap in knowledge and data relating to the condition of private sector housing, and in particular the level of houses below the tolerable standard (BTS).
“A Scottish Government peer review of the strategy highlighted the need for a strategy for improving BTS housing and a policy for identifying housing renewal areas.
“The contract value will not be more than £80,000 and best value will be secured through an open tender process.”