Decision details

The new Localism Act 2011, sets out provisions for Housing Tenure reform and places a duty on local authorities to prepare and publish a Tenancy Strategy, by January 2013. From April 2012, Registered Providers of social housing (often called ‘housing associations’) can offer ‘fixed term’ tenancies as well as ‘lifetime’ tenancies. This is for new tenants only; existing tenants will remain on lifetime tenancies.

A tenancy strategy must set out matters which Registered Providers of social housing in its district are to have regard in formulating their own policies relating to –

1. the kinds of tenancy they grant

2. the circumstances in which they will grant a tenancy of a particular kind

3. where they grant tenancies for a certain term, the length of the terms

4. the circumstances in which they will grant a further tenancy on the coming to an end of an existing tenancy.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on the Housing Tenancy Strategy which had been produced in accordance with the provisions on Housing Tenure reform set out in the Localism Act 2011 which place a statutory duty on local housing authorities to prepare and publish a tenancy strategy.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

Decision Made:

That the Housing Tenancy Strategy as set out in the report be approved.

Reasons for Decision:

To meet the requirements of Section 150 of the Localism Act 2011, which requires local housing authorities to publish a tenancy strategy by January 2013.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None.