Agenda item

A report of the Head of Landlord Services. To Follow.

The Head of Landlord Services Submitted a report consulting the Board on the draft Tenancy Policy 2021-2025 (item 6 on the agenda).

The Board were advised that:

(i)             The Council had a statutory duty to set out:

·       The types of tenancy that could be granted.

·       The length of fixed term tenancies.

·       The Circumstances under which the Council would grant tenancies of a particular type.

(ii)            There had been no changes in discretionary succession rights.

(iii)           The needs of vulnerable household members were being met by providing a succession right.

(iv)          The policy supported a reduction in void loss and the costs associated with re-housing family members that did not come through occupied property.

(v)           The law provided for the Council to make the best use of stock, meaning that the council could take possession of a property that was, for example, under-occupied.

(vi)          Where there was no right to succession, the Council would provide housing options, advice and assistance.

(vii)         The new policy promoted the use of targeted fixed-term tenancies to prevent anti-social behaviour (ASB) whereby prospective tenants with a history of serious ASB would be offered a fixed-term tenancy of 2 years commencing after the 12-month introductory tenancy period.  The conduct of the tenant would then be reviewed and if satisfactory then a secure tenancy would be offered.  A serious breach of the tenancy would lead to the tenancy ending.

(viii)        Prospective tenants of high demand properties (e.g. in need of 4 or more beds and/or wheelchair accessible properties) would be offered on a 10-year fixed-term tenancy in addition to the introductory tenancy period.  If the property became under-occupied or the adaptation was no longer needed, the tenants would be supported to move, and the tenancy would not be renewed.

(ix)          Throughout the period of fixed-term tenancies, advice and support would be offered on the conduct of the tenancy and re-housing options as appropriate.

(x)           With regard to vulnerable households, when making a decision to re-issue a tenancy with the same address or offer alternative accommodation, each case would be considered on its own merits.

In response to questions from the Board it was explained that:

(i)            The Right to Buy would remain in place for houses with 4 or more bedrooms and for adapted stock that was in high demand and under-occupied.

(ii)          Tenants with a history of ASB transferring from another Local Authority would adopt the terms of Charnwood Borough Council on the first day of their tenancy with the Council.

(iii)         The reference to point 4.2 (ii) under point 8.5.2 on the report (page 15 for the report) should read 4.4 (ii).

(iv)         With regard to tenants with additional needs at the end of a fixed-term tenancy, it was clarified that provided there were no breaches of tenancy and if the need remained, then the Council wold seek to grant a new tenancy at the same address.  If the remaining household members did not need adaptations and if it was identified that the property was no longer required, the Council would encourage the household to move to alternative accommodation and they would look to match and allocate within council stock.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Reason

To acknowledge the Board’s comments prior to its likely progression to Cabinet.