Agenda item

Presentation from Nottingham City Homes

Paul Howard, Tenancy and Estate Manager, Nottingham City Homes, gave a presentation on the Housing and Planning Act 2016. He highlighted the following points:

(a)  the act became law in 2015 but as yet there are no regulations or guidelines published. There is currently no target date set for these to be written;

(b)  the first main change that comes into force in April 2017 is around fixed term tenancies.

a.  All new tenants will be given a fixed term tenancy.

b.  This change will not affect current tenants unless they move, or create a new tenancy ie a married couple with a joint tenancy split up and go on to a sole tenancy – this would switch to a fixed term tenancy;

(c)  Tenancies will be assessed at the end of the fixed term and if nothing has significantly change a further fixed term tenancy will be offered;

(d)  If a new tenancy is not offered there will be a chance for review, and Nottingham City Homes will offer housing advise or assistance for them to find their own accommodation;

(e)  Pay to Stay was the second significant change bought in by the Housing and Planning Act 2016.  However this part of the act was voluntary measure encouraging tenants on more than £31,000 per year per household to pay increased or market rate rents. Nottingham City Homes had already stated that they were not planning on introducing this measure;

(f)  Sale of higher value homes is the third change bought about by the Housing and Planning Act 2016. Again there has been no guidance issued;

(g)  Nottingham City Homes will potentially have to sell some of the higher value stock as it becomes vacant with the money then being reinvested in replacing stock lost through Right to Buy;

(h)  It may be that this part of the act is more London centric and it is unclear what it currently means for Nottingham;

(i)  “Higher Value” has not been quantified.

Following discussion and questions from the committee the further points were made:

(j)  Tenants have been made aware of the changes, briefing sheets have been delivered to house and tenants have made their dissatisfaction known. Unfortunately it is not something that Nottingham City Homes can alter;

(k)  Right to Buy is unaffected by the changes;

(l)  Nottingham City Homes is looking at offering longer fixed terms for stable tenants;

(m)The length of terms is currently undecided. There has been no guidance received and the changes have not yet been introduced by Nottingham City homes. The average for those who have is 5 years;

(n)  Sometimes Nottingham City Homes has to sell properties if there is very little stock in some areas. It is more about harmonising management and is decided by a committee based on lots of considerations;

(o)  Nottingham City Homes has issues with low stock of larger houses for bigger families, those along with bungalows and adapted houses may be considered higher value.

RESOLVED to

(1)  thank Paul Howard for the presentation and discussion;

(2)  invite Nottingham City Homes to update the committee on the implications for Nottingham of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 when they are clear;

(3)  invite Nottingham City Homes to update a future meeting on other changes for tenants not implemented by the Housing and Planning act 2016.