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Explore the case for housing reform, addressing waiting lists, overcrowding, mobility issues, and employment challenges. Learn about the guiding principles, policy changes, and the shift towards fixed-term tenancies, tenancy strategies, standards, and succession rights. Access consultation responses and debunk myths.
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The Case for Housing Reform • Waiting Lists • 1.8m Households on waiting lists • Approx. 50,000 households in temporary accommodation • Overcrowding • 250,000 social homes are overcrowded • 400,000 social homes are underoccupied • Mobility • Fewer than 5% of social sector households move within the social sector each year compared to almost 25% of private renters • Employment • Fewer than half of social tenants of working age are in employment
Housing Reform – the Guiding Principles • “LOCALISM, LOCALISM, LOCALISM” • FLEXIBILITY • FOCUSING SUPPORT WHERE IT’S NEEDED MOST
From Principles to PolicyThe Headlines • FIXED-TERM TENANCIES • TENANCY STRATEGIES • TENANCY STANDARD • SUCCESSION
The ChangesFixed-term tenancies • TERMINOLOGY • LA FIXED-TERM = FLEXIBLE • PRP FIXED-TERM = ASSURED SHORTHOLD TENANCY • REISSUE, NOT RENEWAL • MINIMUM LENGTH • WHAT DOES ‘2 YEAR MINIMUM TERM’ ACTUALLY MEAN? • OPTIONAL EXTRA - CAN USE FIXED TERMS FOR ALL, SOME OR NO NEW TENANCIES
The Changes Tenancy Strategies • What? • High-level document • Set out broad housing objectives, not the detail • No specified format • Who? • Every Local Housing Authority • LAs must consult PRPs • Why? • Transparency • Encourage a coherent approach within an area • When? • Up to 12 months from commencement • Relationship between LAs and PRPs • What does “Have regard to” actually mean?
The Changes Tenancy Standard • SoS can already direct the regulator on: • Rent; • Quality of Accommodation; and • Tenant Involvement • Localism Bill will give new powers to direct on: • Mutual exchange; and • Tenure – will start consultation in late Spring/early Summer • Direction to take effect in April 2012 (subject to parliamentary approval) • Result will be reduced regulation and increased flexibility
The Changes Succession • Equalisation of rights Secure/Assured (all future tenants) • Removal of ‘one succession only’ constraint • Express term in the tenancy agreement • Flexibility for landlord – additional review point • Certainty for those living with tenant before they move in • Individual agreements to cater for individual requirements
Consultation responses • Consultation: • http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/socialhousingreform • Summary of Responses to Consultation: • http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/localdecisionsresponse
Myths • End of lifetime tenancies • Every fixed-term tenancy will have to be 2 years • Tenants finding work must be evicted • LAs can prevent housing associations from using fixed-term tenancies • Changes will affect existing tenants