Changes to the council housing tenancy agreement
This coming Wednesday sees a meeting of the Council’s Community Select Committee, amongst the items it will consider is one on changes and updates to the tenancy agreement for council housing tenants.
The proposed changes are required to both up-date issues within the tenancy operationally and legislatively whilst also maximising the Council’s ability to proactively manage its housing stock.
A summary of the proposed amendments been put forward by officers is given below (this is potentially subject to addition/amendment throughout the consultation process) :
|
Issue |
Reason for change |
|
Your rights as a secure tenant |
This section has had minor amendments for ease of reading/completeness The section relating to repairs has been reworded to give a more accurate reflection of our legal obligations |
|
False Statement |
For completeness “knowingly withholding information” has been added |
|
Rental Payments |
Amendment to wording to accommodate daily tenancies Greater clarity around charges associated with the tenancy including Carelink charges |
|
Use of the Property |
Set timeframes for what is viewed as a “temporary” absence to allow swifter resolution of potential misuse/abandonment cases. |
|
Anti-social behaviour |
Updated to include abuse via social media Storage of weapons within properties has been included |
|
Keeping of pets |
Wording updated to ensure permission sought more widely |
|
Pests and Vermin |
Responsibility for ensuring recycling/waste containers are available has been added |
|
Repairs & Maintenance |
Greater clarity around safety equipment and ensuring this is adequately powered Greater clarity around tenant alterations The need to ensure tumble driers are properly vented has been added as this has been a feature in recent disrepair cases |
|
Letting us into your home |
Greater clarity around why/when we may need to enter some-ones home Abortive out-of-hours calls to be recharged |
|
Conduct to staff etc. |
Updated to include abuse via social media |
|
Ending your tenancy |
Amendment to wording to accommodate daily tenancies |
|
What happens if we don’t keep to this agreement |
Clarity that written permission is needed to deal with a third party |
You can view the full details including the changed text by clicking here
If the changes are approved an informal “reality check” consultation will then take place with tenants who are visiting council receptions over a 2 week period an opportunity to comment on the changes
This will be followed by a further, larger scale consultation undertaken to enable all tenants to be given an opportunity to comment.
Please take the time to have a look through the changes and if you have any concerns or think there are any issues that the council should be considering please get in touch
