Agenda Reports Pack (Public) 15/10/2012, 19.00 - Meetings ...

Building a Housing Ladder of Opportunity – Housing Allocation Scheme3.13 Where a property is not suitable for the person applying to succeed, for examplebecause it is too large, the council will assist them to find alternativeaccommodation if they qualify for help under this Housing Allocation Scheme,which could include an offer of accommodation in the private rented sector.3.14 Where a new tenancy is granted as a result of a discretionary succession, thetenancy will be treated as a new tenancy under the Council’s Tenancy Strategy.This means that in most cases a flexible tenancy, normally two or five years, willbe granted. Failure to accept a suitable property offered or made available underthis Housing Allocations Scheme will result in proceedings for possession of thehome currently occupied. Each situation will considered on its merits andtenancies will be granted at the discretion of the Council.3.15 Tenancy succession rules for Private Registered Providers (normally housingassociations) are governed by different legislation. Current and future housingassociation tenants should check with individual landlords what the rules are forsuccession for their respective tenancies.Service Tenancies3.16 Employees of the Council who have a service tenancy associated with theiremployment may be re-housed by the council in pursuance of a contractualagreement that may be in place. This may be achieved outside of assistedchoice through a direct nomination.Sustaining a Tenancy3.17 The Council intends to scrutinise more closely the ability of applicants to sustainthe tenancy that is being sought for two reasons. There needs to be somecertainty that the applicant is able to take on the responsibilities associated with anew tenancy and that there is no history of anti-social and/or criminal behaviourassociated with a previous tenancy. In tandem, the Council also needs to bemindful of the Government’s welfare reform proposals, specifically in respect tothe Universal Credit reforms which will ‘cap’ the amount of benefits a singlehousehold can receive. This is likely to be particularly relevant to households inlarge family accommodation (three bedrooms or more) where a significantproportion of this house type is both expensive and in short supply.Flexible Tenancies3.18 The Council intends to take full advantage of the freedoms and flexibilitiesafforded by the 2011 Localism Act. The Council’s approach to flexible tenanciesis set out in its Tenancy Strategy. In summary, the Council intends to issue fiveyear fixed term tenancies (and in some instances, two year tenancies) in thefuture, although with some exceptions where secure tenancies will still be17Page 400