Tenancy Strategy Policy

The Localism Act 2011 requires local authorities to develop a Tenancy Strategy to include a description of the high level objectives ("matters") that registered providers should "have regard to" in their tenancy policies. These policies will relate to:

• the kind of tenancies they grant
• the circumstances in which they will grant a tenancy of a particular kind
• where they grant tenancies for a fixed term, the length of the term
• the circumstances in which they will grant a further tenancy on the coming to an end of an existing tenancy

There are nearly 4300 homes managed by Registered Providers in the District. These are rented to those in housing need. Just over 3000 of these homes belong to the Council and the remainder are managed by a number of different housing associations.

Up until now, most tenants offered a home by a Council or a Housing Association have been given lifetime tenancies. However, the Localism Act introduced tenure reform and as a result Registered Providers can now let homes on fixed term or flexible tenancies. These are tenancies which are let for a limited period of time; with a minimum five year term in most cases. As a landlord, the Council is keen to start using flexible tenancies. This is because there is a shortage of available accommodation especially larger homes and we are required to make best use of our housing stock.

The Council is also keen for housing associations working within the District to make the most of the new flexibilities for the same reasons.