Issue - meetings

(Housing and Community Services) To consider the attached report (C-011-2020-21).

1. The Cabinet agreed to extend the life of the current Tenancy Policy (which expires in July 2020) by a further 2 years to July 2022

2. Having agreed the extension to the life of the Policy, Cabinet agreed to the recommended amendments set out below:

·         Discontinuation of two year fixed-term tenancies

·         Introduction of an obligation for tenants to declare any properties/land purchased during their tenancy.

The Housing and Community Services Portfolio Holder introduced the report on the Council’s Tenancy Policy.

The meeting noted that under the Localism Act 2011 and the Regulatory Framework for Social Housing in England, Registered Providers must publish clear and accessible policies which outline their approach to tenancy management.

EFDC’s Tenancy Policy 2015 (v3) expires and required renewal in July 2020. Full amendments and renewal of the policy require statutory consultation which had not been possible at the current time. Agreement was therefore being sought to extend the life of the current policy by a further 2 years to allow for meaningful consideration and consultation of the policy and in order to bring issue dates in line with the Allocations Policy. This would enable the renewal of both policies, which were intrinsically linked, to be considered, consulted on and renewed together in July 2022.

Agreement was also being sought for several proposed changes to the policy, the main ones of which were as follows:

•           Discontinuation of two year fixed-term tenancies

•           Introduction of an obligation for tenants to declare any properties/land purchased during their tenancy

Other recommended amendments to the wording of the policy were detailed in the main body of the report.

Decision:

1. The Cabinet agreed to extend the life of the current Tenancy Policy (which expires in July 2020) by a further 2 years to July 2022

2. Having agreed the extension to the life of the Policy, Cabinet agreed to the recommended amendments set out below:

·         Discontinuation of two year fixed-term tenancies

·         Introduction of an obligation for tenants to declare any properties/land purchased during their tenancy.

Reasons for Proposed Decision:

There was a statutory requirement to have a Tenancy Policy. The purpose of the policy ensures compliance with the Regulatory Framework and provides clarity on the circumstances in which EFDC will grant each type of tenancy. Having the policy ensured we offer tenancies which make the best use of our housing stock, while meeting customers’ requirements.

Other Options Available:

Not to renew the current Tenancy Policy.