Agenda item

A report concerning the Tenancy Strategy consultation and review was before the EAB for consideration.  The report explained that there was a legal requirement under the Localism Act 2011 for the Council to prepare and publish a tenancy strategy and to review that strategy periodically, which this report addressed.  The strategy itself set the over-arching framework that social landlords operating in the Borough should have regard to in framing their individual tenancy policies.

Having originally published a tenancy strategy in 2013, the Council had now conducted the required review.  The revised strategy set out how the Council and other social landlords (Registered Providers or housing associations) operating in Guildford would determine the type and length of tenancies to be offered to social tenants in the Borough.

The strategy must include everything that social housing landlords should consider when drawing up their own tenancy policies, including the:

·             Different types of tenure to be offered;

·             Circumstances under which these different types of tenancies would be granted;

·             Where fixed term tenancies were granted, the lengths of those terms; and

·             Circumstances in which a new tenancy would be given should any fixed-term tenancy expire.

The government regulator of social housing set the Tenancy Standard that required all social landlords to publish individual tenancy policies, which in turn determined tenancy types and tenancy lengths for new tenants and how they were reviewed on any expiry.

The purpose of the strategy was to set out the Council’s approach to the use of flexible and other tenancies.  It was intended to provide guidance to Registered Providers (housing associations), informing their policies and practices to ensure that they met housing need across the whole of the Borough.  In addition, it would indicate to housing applicants what they could expect from a tenancy, flexible or otherwise, to:

·             Make the best use of social housing stock;

·             Meet local housing needs and prevent homelessness;

·             Enable a range of tenure options in a more balanced housing market; and

·             Promote sustainable communities.

The tenancy strategy also aimed to support the Council’s wider aspirations and could assist in improving the focus on community needs, established through dialogue and consultation with local stakeholders and communities and delivered in partnership with other organisations.  In addition, the tenancy strategy permitted the Council to offer flexible tenure in line with current housing need.

The Executive would be considering this matter at its meeting on 27 October 2020 and the EAB was invited to submit such comments to the Executive on the revised Tenancy Strategy as it thought appropriate.

The related Consultation Tenancy Review exercise had consisted of an on-line consultation on the Council’s website and direct contact with Registered Providers operating in the Borough and other stakeholders such as the Guildford Tenants’ Action Group.  Responses to the consultation had been low key as the strategy was of a mundane and technical nature and viewed by consultees as a ‘business as usual’ management tool.

The EAB was advised of the number and type of tenancies amongst the Council’s housing stock of approximately 5,200 properties.  These consisted of 61 non-secure tenancies, 161 introductory tenancies, and 985 flexible tenancies issued since 2013.  The remainder of the tenancies, in the region of 4,000 allowing for some voids, were secure tenure.

The following points arose from related questions, comments and discussion:

·             Although the reviewed strategy appeared to be acceptable and supported by a consultation process, the report was considered to be disappointingly unhelpful as it lacked sufficient information to inform councillors’ views, such as a summary of consultation responses, an indication of changes being made compared to the last strategy and any amendments put forward as a result of the consultation responses.  Inclusion of information relating to the number and type of tenancies would be helpful.

·             In terms of consultation, this had focused on Registered Providers.  Although the Tenants’ Action Group had been consulted directly as it was engaged in technical aspects of tenancies, it did not submit a response.  Not all tenants had been contacted as there was a balance to be reached between expending the resources required to write to all tenants and the likely level of response to a technical strategy that was unlikely to change due to legislation.

·             There were concerns regarding the principle of the strategy in relation to non-secure and flexible tenancies and it was acknowledged that the five year flexible tenancies could lead to tenants exercising their right to buy option at the expiry of their tenancy leading to a reduction in the amount of social housing.  However, the tenants of 4,000 of the Council’s properties benefited from secure tenancies.

·             The solution to a shortage of social housing was to increase the provision to meet need.

·             The creation of a single page information factsheet, possibly including case studies, which could be viewed on-line or printed was a means of engaging and informing tenants and potential tenants in respect of the strategy and tenancies.  The Council’s Communications Team could assist in this area.

·             In view of the possibility of Surrey being restructured into one or more unitary authorities, consistency in providing tenant support and information across the county was sought.

·             The Council’s Housing Section undertook commendable work including assisting and supporting tenants and potential tenants.  It would be interesting to explore how this support could be enhanced, particularly for vulnerable and homeless people.

The EAB made the following recommendations to the Executive:

·             A single page information factsheet, possibly including case studies, be created with the assistance of the Council’s Communications Team for viewing on-line or printing from the Council’s website as a means of engaging and informing tenants and potential tenants regarding the Tenancy Strategy and tenancy conditions.

·             A summary document to accompany reports such as the Tenancy Strategy providing consultation responses and proposed changes stemming from those responses be provided in future to inform councillors’ considerations and recommendations.

·             The delivery of additional social housing to meet local need be pursued to provide homes for people currently on the Council’s housing waiting list.