Council proposes changes to tenancies

Consultation runs until 16th November

Proposals to introduce initial  one-year probationary periods followed by fixed term teancies for new social housing tenants are being considered by the council

The Localism Act 2011 has given councils the ability to issue different tenancies to all new tenants, to help make the best use of social housing stock.

The council are consulting on proposed changes to how social and affordable tenancies are granted, their length, and how they are renewed.

The proposals being considered include introducing a one-year probation period for all new tenancies which would be followed by a five year fixed term tenancy. After five years, the tenancies would be reviewed and a further five year tenancy may be awarded.

There are also plans to introduce shorter two year tenancies in certain circumstances, and lifetime tenancies for former members of the armed forces, social tenants fleeing domestic violence, and the over 60’s moving into sheltered housing

Cllr Steve Curran, cabinet member for housing at the council, said:

“The council and housing associations currently own about 20,000 homes in the borough, which are rented out to social tenants. This sounds a lot, but we have more then 13,000 people waiting for housing, and only around 900 properties become available for new tenants every year.

“This means we need to try to make the best use of our existing housing stock in the borough, to make sure homes are available for those who need them.”

The consultation runs until 16 November, and sets out a range of proposals for new tenants for both council-owned homes, and those owned by housing associations.

The key issues the council wants to hear from people about are:

  • The granting of an introductory or probationary tenancy at the tenancy start, and how long that should be. 
  • The type and length of tenancies that the council and housing associations grant new tenants.
  • The circumstances in which the council and housing associations will grant a tenancy of a certain kind.
  • Where the council and housing associations grant fixed term tenancies, how long they should be.
  • The circumstances in which they will grant a further tenancy when the previous fixed term tenancy comes to an end, and the criteria for deciding on whether to grant a new tenancy

Existing tenants would not be affected by the changes.

To find out more, and have your say on the proposals, visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/consultations.

November 8, 2012