Glossary of Terms

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Data Protection: The Data Protection Act 1998 governs the records kept by landlords (in whatever format - paper, computer file etc.) and enables tenants and others to inspect the content of such records which relates to them.
Day to Day Repairs: These are emergency or urgent repairs and repairs which cannot be left to the cycle of programmed maintenance without posing a threat to the safety, health and security of the tenant, the deterioration of the building or the landlord's repair obligations. Also known as reactive or responsive repairs.
Decanting: The process whereby existing residents, either tenants or owners, are temporarily rehoused during the improvement of their original property. This can involve them being moved back into the original property after improvement or moved to another permanent home.
Deed of Conditions: Legal document which sets down the rights and responsibilities of the various owners and factors in a tenement or multi-storey properties. Normally sets out the proportionate share of common repairs for each individual property.
Defects Liability Period (DLP): The pre-determined period after practical completion of a project when the contractor is responsible for making good any faults which appear and which are due to defective materials or work. The period is usually 12 months.
Design and Build: For this procurement method, the employer sets out the requirements and the contractor is not only responsible for building the project but also for all aspects of the design. It must be clearly understood that the architect and other design consultants are employed by the contractor and as such respond to his or her instructions, not those of the employer. The Employer's Agent is the sole watchdog of the employer.
Development Finance: This is the general term used to describe the funding of an improvement or new build project from the start to completion. It includes capital grants from Communities Scotland, New Housing Partnerships funding, contributions from other owners and private finance.
Development Trust: An enterprise formed and run by local people to become sustainable, to trade and to acquire local assets.
Disability Discrimination Act 1995: This Act requires organisations to ensure that they do not discriminate against any individual on grounds of disability. This includes indirect discrimination whereby an individual may be unable to work in certain premises because of access or mobility problems.
Disturbance Payment: Payment made to a tenant or owner who suffers disruption arising from work done to their property as a consequence of it being declared a Housing Action Area.
Edindex: See Common Housing Register (CHR)
Employers in Voluntary Housing (EVH): Formerly the Clydeside Federation of Community Based Housing Associations, EVH is the only employers organisation for voluntary housing in Scotland. It provides support services and assistance for voluntary committees and boards on staff structures, conditions of service, salaries, employment law advice, collective bargaining and training.
Environmental Improvement Grant: These grants are made available by a council to cover improvement of backcourts, etc. They are applied for independently from the main improvement contract grants, although for practical reasons the landlord will try to ensure that the different parts of the improvement programme tie in to each other.
Equality and Diversity: There is a range of definitions of equal opportunities including "equality of opportunity", "equality of outcome", "equal treatment", "equity", "fairness" and "justice". Communities Scotland recognises that equal opportunities can be a broad term with a variety of meanings and that it can mean different things in different contexts. Encouraging equal opportunities does not always mean treating people the same. It can also mean considering and reflecting difference (i.e. Diversity). Promoting equal opportunities includes opposing institutional and other forms of discrimination and promoting participation and inclusion.
Estate Management: Policies and procedures dealing with issues which arise concerning property, environment and residents.
European Union (EU) Procurement Law: EU treaty and procurement directives state that contracts of all types and sizes must be awarded without discrimination on grounds of nationality or locality. RSLs must therefore advertise large building and maintenance works in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU, formerly OJEC) to allow potential contractors from throughout the EU to bid.
Eviction: Occurs when a tenant is removed from their home against their will.
Eviction decree: An order made in court by a sheriff, giving a landlord the right to evict a tenant.

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Page last updated on Friday, 13 October 2006